Cricket

Ismail: Aggression pumped me up for career-best

2018-02-19 14:40

Cape Town - Proteas women fast bowler Shabnim Ismail says that harnessing her natural aggression helped her pick up five wickets against India to keep her team in the T20I series.

Ismail bagged match-winning figures of 5/30 against India in the third T20I in Johannesburg.

READ: Ismail helps keep Proteas women alive in T20 series

The fast bowler says that as a team they like to focus on positives and she felt that the fielders helped give her a boost.

Speaking after the Proteas' five-wicket win at the Wanderers, she said: "We had the right fielders in the right place and took our catches today.

"We don't hang on to the negatives that much. We always look at the positives. Aggression is something that pumps me up, the fielders also pump me up. There is never a dull moment on the field."

Ismail's return was the second best by any South African in the format behind team-mate Sune Luus' 5/8 against Ireland in 2016.

Proteas skipper Dane van Niekerk was relieved to get the win and delighted with the increasing amount of support her team receive around the country.

"I'm a little relieved," said Van Niekerk said.

"I couldn't watch for a bit there, but we know that Chloe Tryon can hit the ball a fair distance.

"I couldn't fault the bowlers. It was a blessing in disguise after the first over that I could hold her (Ismail) back. We had to stick to our strengths and we showcased our strengths really well," she said.

"The crowd was amazing. It lifts out spirits, so I want to thank them for coming out and supporting us. We're very excited about the next game and hope we can rectify our mistakes. But I'm very happy with the side today."

Read more on:    proteas women  |  shabnim ismail  |  cricket
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