ICC Women World Cup 2022: We did well to restrict them to 228 – Sune Luus

South Africa captain Sune Luus feels her team did well to restrict New Zealand at 228 runs in the 16th match of the ongoing ICC Women World Cup 2022 at the Seddon Park, Hamilton on Thursday.

New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and decided to bat first.

In fact, the White Ferms were 198-4 after 40 overs but they lost the last six wickets for only 30 runs in the last eight overs and thus could not even bat their full quota of 50 overs.

Sophie Devine scored a fine knock of 93 runs for New Zealand but middle-order batters could not get going after she was dismissed. Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka scalped three wickets each for the Proteas whereas Marizanne Kapp continued her rich form as she snared two wickets.

Sune Luus said in the post-match presentation, “It is a roller-coster of emotions. We probably made it harder than it was supposed to be. But at the end of the day we will take the points and go. I don’t think we did too bad, we started off well and had a good powerplay. Devine played a good knock in the middle but we brought back nicely at the end. They were 200 around the 40th over and we did well to restrict them to 228. We regrouped nicely and my partnership with Laura was crucial, we should have probably stayed till the end and seen it through, but Kapp did a brilliant job. Australia is always a good competitive game. There’s not too much pressure on us. We will look to improve the small things and take it from there.”

On the other hand, Sune Luus played a key role with the bat as she scored 51 runs for the Proteas. Laura Wolvaardt also scored a fine knock of 67 runs for the Rainbow Nation. Furthermore, Marizanne Kapp added the finishing touches as she scored an unbeaten knock of 34 runs off just 35 balls. Thus, she was awarded the second consecutive Player of the Match award in the ODI showpiece.

Kapp said after the game, “I think these games have to stop now, I’m tired. It was a team effort. We weren’t at our best, but the perfect game is around the corner. We bowled better against England but we got away with it today. Our batters have been struggling, but I back them to come good. They (Wolvaardt and Luus) batted brilliantly, but you can’t get too relaxed because the game can change quickly. Luckily we got on the winning side today as well. Just need a few more people to put up their hands, and then we’ll be good.”

South Africa has now won four out of their four matches in the tournament. The Proteas will next face Australia Women on Tuesday at the Basin Reserve, Wellington.