The Proteas Women will be out for redemption today, when they take on New Zealand in their fourth T20 match Down Under in Wellington this morning, with the hope of levelling matters and keeping the series alive.
It was the unbeaten half-century from Sophie Devine that guided New Zealand to a six-wicket win over South Africa on Friday morning in Auckland, to lead the five-game T20 series 2-1 ahead of today’s meeting.
Kayla Reyneke, who has been a breath of fresh air blowing through the Proteas Women’s team and one of the standout players so far in the series, said one game can’t define them and they will find solutions heading into today’s clash.
“Look, one game can’t define us as a team. I think we are a very strong team, and I mean, we have good cricket brains in the camp. Not just in management, but players around also,” Reyneke said.
“So, we are looking forward to the next one and seeing what we can do better because we still have two more games to play. The tour is still long, so we’re trying to stay as positive as possible and obviously not to look too far ahead.”
The ongoing series against the White Ferns forms part of the preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June – a competition that they have established themselves as powerhouses, having reached back-to-back finals, although they finished as runners-ups both times.
Reyneke emphasised that, despite aiming to go all the way and finally win the T20 World Cup, they must not look too far ahead and focus on the New Zealand and upcoming India series before the global showpiece.
“I’m still new in the set-up, but I think as the Protea team as a whole … we don’t want to look too far ahead. Yes, we are aware of the World Cup that’s coming up.
“We have a New Zealand series to complete and then an India series also coming up. So, it’s not too far away, but we are prepping for that also, and I am aware of that,” the former SA Under-19 captain added.
The two sides will meet for the fifth and final T20 match on Wednesday, where it will either be a decider or a dead rubber, depending on today’s outcome.
