Marizanne Kapp not going anywhere Proteas women’s allrounder Marizanne Kapp at the age of 34 believes she is currently playing the best cricket of her career. Picture: John Cowpland/AFP
Image: John Cowpland/AFP
The Proteas women’s cricket team have been hit by a number of high-profile retirements in recent years, but Cricket South Africa (CSA) are set on keeping world-class allrounder Marizanne Kapp playing for as long as possible.
Over the last two years, top players Dane van Niekerk, Shabnim Ismail, Mignon du Preez and Lizelle Lee. With the exception of Du Preez, those players have all kept plying their trade for T20 leagues around the world as recently as last month.
The Proteas, as hosts, lost their recent T20 International (T20I) series against England 3-0, but struck back in the first One-Day International (ODI)in Kimberley on Wednesday.
Significantly, the Proteas were without Kapp in the T20I series, but in the first of three ODIs the SA allrounder made a return to the squad.
Kapp was adjudged player of the match with her run-a-ball 22 before taking 3/24 against the tourists, and highlighted the impact she has on the team.
Paul Adams, Head of spin bowling for CSA and consultant for the Proteas women, told SportsBoom.com that it was a priority to keep the 34-year-old playing her cricket for the national team.
“It's so important that we keep going with her and managing her through all these different tournaments and series. She's been a big player for South Africa and we'll make sure that she will contribute in the next few years to come as well.”
With the Proteas women having reached their second successive Women’s T20 Cricket World cup final last month, the South Africans are riding a crest of a wave.
Adams explained that it was CSA’s intention to keep building on their strong performances.
“Again, second time in a row. We played really well in the World Cup, it was great to be part of it. The energy within the group was great fun.”
“Leading into it, they did a lot of preparation. But at the World Cup everyone was really switched on and got a lot of belief back into the group on what they can achieve.”
Though South Africa fell to a 32-run defeat in the final against New Zealand, there was still cause for optimism insisted Adams.
“It's unfortunate again in the final, but hopefully it's going to be third time lucky next time round.”
Adams who burst onto the international cricket scene as an 18-year-old with his highly unorthodox action, knows all too well how effective the ‘tweakers’ can be in an emerging team.
With 24-year-old Nonkululeko Mlaba one of the stars of the recent T20 World Cup, her role in the team already seems guaranteed. Yet there are still a number of players waiting in the wings, Adams told SportsBoom.com.
“You've got young [allrounder] Seshnie Naidu who's developed. She's going to be in that Under-19 World Cup with the South African side.
“And she is one for the future that we're looking to develop, making sure we try and get a wrist-spinner involved in the space.
“And then also the young Miane Smit who's an allrounder. So she's been massive as well, came on tour, saw what it's like to be on an international tour.
“So those times spent around the team, knowing what the level of cricket is all about, is so key.
“At any stage, anyone can get injured. We've got to make sure that spin bowling is right at the top of the team selections.”