Cricket South Africa (CSA) is optimistic about the chances of the Proteas women’s squad for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20, to be played from March 8 to April 3 in India.
“Eighty per cent of the squad has been exposed to subcontinent conditions, especially India. So, there won’t be too many players who will be experiencing the conditions for the first time,” said coach Hilton Mooreng.
South Africa is in a tough Group A, along with Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Ireland. But, Moreeng is confident of his team’s chances of qualifying for the knock-out stage.
“From a selection point of view and the preparation we have had in the last two years, we think it is the best squad for the conditions that we will be faced with,” he said.
Mooreng said he is fortunate to have a squad used to playing in subcontinent conditions. He believes that the ICC Women’s Championship series that the side has been playing in mostly subcontinent conditions has helped them in their preparations.
“The fact that our first three series in the Women’s Championship were in the subcontinent has helped us a lot in terms of getting players used to those kinds of conditions and pitches,” Mooreng added.
In the previous World T20 (2014), South Africa knocked New Zealand out of the quarter-finals to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time ever.
Moreeng believes that he has a side that can pull off another similar upset.
“We have played some of the top teams in the world of late. We have just finished a series against England and are busy with one against the West Indies now. The exposure to top-notch players is invaluable for what we are trying to prepare for,” he signed off.
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