Sekhukhune confident of good show by South Africa

Tumi Sekhukhune may be just one T20 World Cup old but she knows a thing or two about the feeling of being in a semi-final. South Africa last made it to that stage in 2014, when the young bowling allrounder was taking baby steps into the sport. However, this time around she is one of the core members of the Proteas’ squad.

“Women’s cricket is definitely moving in the right direction now. Reaching the semi-finals opened up a lot of doors and opportunities for us in South Africa,” said the 21-year-old.

“Now youngsters in the junior teams are already contracted so if we do get to the semi-finals this year, and hopefully win the World Cup, we know the structures and facilities in South Africa will change again. For me, it’s a privilege to be in the team. We have world-class bowlers in Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp who have done so well in the Women’s Big Bash League. Everyone is very excited for the tournament but regardless of the result, one thing is for sure and that is we will be taking our team spirit to the tournament.”

South Africa arrived Down Under on the back of a T20I series loss against New Zealand, though they whitewashed the Kiwis in the preceding ODIs. Their run of losses continued as Australia beat them in their warm-up clash, despite them not being in a favourable position during the chase.

However, with Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Trisha Chetty all raring to go and with Chloe Tryon in the striking form that she is in, Sekhukhune is confident that South Africa will put up a good show.

“We still have the momentum, the confidence and the spirit from the ODI series,” she said. “Everyone in the team is still in a good space and that is very nice. From a personal point of view, I have learnt a lot in the past two years coming into this World Cup. Now, with the knowledge I have and the teammates that I have helping me, I think I am ready.”