22 Jan

Proteas women out to impress on first Black Day ODI

Share
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
Proteas batter Laura Wolvaardt
Proteas batter Laura Wolvaardt
SAEED KHAN / AFP

The Proteas women will look to seal the three-match ODI series when they don their black kit for the second One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan women at Kingsmead on Saturday.

Play on Saturday starts at 10:00.

The inaugural Black Day ODI is a CSA initiative, partnering with Momentum, KZN Cricket Union and the POWA to raise awareness in the fight against gender-based violence.

The Black Day ODI in its infancy stage has created a level of excitement similar 'start up' events can only dream of and this has been a triumph for the Proteas women side.

Proteas opener Laura Wolvaardt is relishing the prospect of playing in the very first Black Day ODI and is hoping the enthusiasm around the special day will go a long in motivating the team to produce a respectable performance.

"We can't wait to play in our black kit. The Black Day ODI has brought another level of excitement within the squad because it is towards a great cause and something that we as the Momentum Proteas players are proud to be associated with," said Wolvaardt.

"We are honoured to be creating an event to bring and draw attention to the injustices around GBV and hopefully the excitement around this event will make us raise our performance and produce a much better display than the one on Wednesday."

Despite a narrow three-run win over Pakistan on Wednesday, Wolvaardt believes the Proteas will be keen to improve on certain areas of their game which let them down on Wednesday.

"It was obviously good to get the win. I thought it was a complete bowling display towards the end by our bowlers who made sure that they restrict Pakistan to that score which was set up by a not-so-great batting performance," said Wolvaardt, who was one of the standout performers with a resolute 40 last Wednesday.

"We are very much cognisant that we are nowhere near perfect, the games coming ahead will go a long way in ensuring that we get back to our very best.

"Hopefully, the festivities around the Black Day ODI will be added motivation for us to produce a display that we as team can be proud of."

The Proteas will welcome back Ayabonga Khaka, who missed the first game through illness, and will more than likely play a similar unit, as the side continue to fiddle with combinations and strategies in search of a winning formula as they gradually make a return to international cricket.

Cricket fans are encouraged to rally behind the Black Day ODI by donning black colours in the comfort of their homes and use #EndGBV on their social media platforms to spread awareness around gender-based violence.

Proteas women's squad for Pakistan series:

Sune Luus (captain), Laura Wolvaardt, Trisha Chetty (wicketkeeper), Mignon du Preez, Shabnim Ismail, Lizelle Lee, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Lara Goodall, Nondumiso Shangase, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Faye Tunnicliffe, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits

- Cricket South Africa

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For only R75 per month, you have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today.
Subscribe to News24