THE MARVELS
EDITOR’S NOTE
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be a game-changer in South Africa, writes Zaahier Adams.
PHOTO BOOTH
THE MARVELS
ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP EDITION
The Proteas Women’s team are a group of superheroes who will use their special powers to keep the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Pictures: ICC
SWITCHING GEARS
05
SUPER SIX
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NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Age is nothing but a number for these talented young cricketers.
MZANSI 4 SHO
06
A half-dozen of the finest players in the world will be on show at the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup.
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Makhaya Ntini and Temba Bavuma believe it’s South Africa’s time to shine on the global cricket stage. 12
ICC WWC T20 FIXTURES
Keep track of when, where and what time your favourite team is playing.
READY SET GO
Cape Town, Paarl and Gqeberha are ready to welcome the world.
COVER STORY: THE MARVELS
The Proteas Women’s team are a group of superheroes who will use their special powers to create an ever-lasting legacy.
Table Mountain will provide a spectacular backdrop when the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup gets underway. 14
COVER:
Timothy Alexander / African News Agency (ANA)
DESIGN & PRODUCTION:
Timothy Alexander / African News Agency (ANA)
Chloe Tryon has refined her game from being just a big-hitter to a matchwinner for the Proteas Women’s team. 10
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COVER STORY
CONTENTS
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P3 | FEBRUARY ‘23
TELLING STORIES THAT MATTER
TS’OANE KE NAKO “IT’S THE WOMEN’S TIME”
I recently had the privilege of commentating on the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
The excitement was unbridled. For many of the players involved it was the first time they had boarded a plane - let alone travelled overseas. Potchefstroom and Benoni was an entirely new world. And that’s exactly where women’s cricket is right now globally. The women’s game is breaking boundaries and providing opportunities like never before.
Professionalism has almost become the norm. Players are now able to choose cricket as an occupation. Outside of their respective national teams there are lucrative T20 franchise leagues springing up, including the upcoming Women’s Premier League and England’s Hundred competition. The marketing around the women’s game, particularly broadcast, has also increased the players’ popularity and appeal.
And South Africa will be the epicentre of all this when the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup gets underway here on our coastal shores this month.
The 10-team tournament has the potential to create a seismic shift in South Africa. Our country’s well-documented problems related to Gender Based Violence is a reality.
The players now have the opportunity to transform into superheroes for all the young girls that will be watching and show them that they are able to stand up and have the courage to choose a different path.
The Proteas Women’s team, under the leadership of Sune Luus, will be central to conveying this message. They will have their own ambitions of becoming the first South African senior cricket team to reach a World Cup final, but the responsibilities on their shoulders is far greater. Luus and her team, consisting of superstars like Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, and others are though well prepared for the challenge.
They know they have the entire country behind them. Just like the 1995 World Cup Springboks were playing for a greater cause.
It is now their time. It is now the time of every woman playing the game of cricket. Enjoy
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P5 | FEBRUARY ‘23 EDITOR’S NOTE
Zaahier Adams | @ZaahierAdams | zaahier.adams@iol.co.za Zaahier Adams
PHOTO BOOTH
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P6 | FEBRUARY ‘23
ICC SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P7 | FEBRUARY ‘23
IMAGES:
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Age is nothing but a number for these talented young cricketers.
ICC IMAGES: BackpagePix
EVERY ICC Women’s T20 World Cup gives birth to a new crop of emerging stars. Here is a list of who to look out for…
SOUTH AFRICA NONKULULEKO MLABA
PART of the new guard of South African stars, Nonkululeko Mlaba had a slow start to life on the international stage but has put in performances when needed in the lead-up to a home World Cup, including a brilliant performance in the recent Tri-Series final against India in East London.
ENGLAND CHARLIE DEAN
OFF-SPINNER Charlie Dean made her England debut across all three formats in the space of four months before taking 11 wickets at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022. Dean celebrated her first England contract by excelling in her side’s tour of the West Indies, taking 11 wickets across four T20Is.
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P8 | FEBRUARY ‘23
INDIA RICHA GHOSH
THE teenage wicket-keeper should be wellaccustomed to South African conditions having just formed part of India’s successful U19 T20 Women’s World Cup squad in Potchefstroom last month. She will hope to complete the double with the senior India squad now.
AUSTRALIA DARCIE BROWN
BETWEEN March and September of 2021, Darcie Brown made her T20I, ODI and Test debut for Australia and has already earned a whole host of fans. The 19-year-old bowls at an express pace and showed her quality in the warm-up against India with a haul of 4/19.
PAKISTAN FATIMA SANA
AT only 21, Fatima Sana has already emerged as one of the most promising prospects in Pakistan women’s cricket. With an uncanny ability to pick up vital wickets, while also contributing some important runs lower down the order, Sana has established herself as one of the cornerstones of the Pakistan women’s team. Her contributions have already seen her claim some major honours, being named the 2021 ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year.
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P9 | FEBRUARY ‘23
MZANSI FOR SHO
Makhaya Ntini and Temba Bavuma believe it’s South Africa’s time to shine on the global cricket stage.
ICC IMAGES: BackpagePix
FORMER Proteas fast bowler and cricket legend, Makhaya Ntini, says the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be a special celebration of cricket on the continent.
This is the first time South Africa is hosting a Women’s T20 World Cup, an occasion which will take the profile of women’s cricket in South Africa and the continent to new heights.
Ntini was speaking at a festival of street cricket at Kenako Mall in Gqeberha, where the countdown to the opening match between South Africa and Sri Lanka was celebrated.
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P10 | FEBRUARY ‘23
“It is a truly special time for South Africa and Africa to be hosting their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The eyes of the world will be on us as the best cricketers play for the sought-after trophy, it will give us an opportunity to celebrate and showcase our rich and amazing country.
“I remember how incredible it was to play in a World Cup; the honour and the thrill to represent your country is one of the best feelings out there. I would encourage every player to enjoy the occasion, the good and the bad, this opportunity doesn’t come around often.”
The veteran of 101 Tests, 173 One-Day Internationals and two ICC Men’s World Cups, expects a fiercely contested competition as the 10 best teams in the world, led by defending champions Australia, prepare to challenge for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket.
“I don’t think there can be favourites in a T20 World Cup. In T20 cricket, all it takes is one moment of individual brilliance to turn the course of a match. All the 10 teams have talented matchwinners, I think it will be a very competitive and exciting World Cup,” Ntini explained.
South Africa men’s limited-overs captain Temba Bavuma, who has led his team in two ICC T20 Men’s World Cups over the last two years, concurred.
“The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in South Africa this year. It’s an incredible opportunity for all the players to be a part of history with South Africa hosting its first ever Women’s T20 World Cup.
“Playing in a World Cup is the pinnacle for any cricketer and I can’t wait to watch the ladies turning it up on the biggest stage.”
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P11 | FEBRUARY ‘23
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P12 | FEBRUARY ‘23
READY, SET , GO!
Cape Town, Paarl and Gqeberha are ready to welcome the world.
ICC IMAGE: Reuters
NEWLANDS CRICKET GROUND, CAPE TOWN
WHEN the champions are crowned on February 26, they will lift the trophy in the iconic surrounds of Newlands.
Overlooked by Table Mountain, Newlands is one of cricket’s most picturesque venues and the Cape Town suburb will host the final, as well as the opener and both semi-finals.
With a capacity of 25,000, atmospheres are set to be rocking across the 12 games that the ground will host in total, including four double headers during the group stage.
The action will get underway with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka on February 10, while runners-up last time India will play two of their group games here.
Rivals Pakistan will be the first to face India in a mouth-watering match-up, before the West Indies are their opponents three days later.
ST GEORGE’S PARK CRICKET GROUND, GQEBERHA
REIGNING champions Australia will soon become familiar with St George’s Park, with three of their four group games taking place in Port Elizabeth.
Up to 19,000 fans will be packed in for a total of five matches and the action begins on Valentine’s Day, when Australia and Bangladesh will hope to feel the love from the Gqeberha faithful famous for its brass band.
Australia will then take on Sri Lanka followed by the mouthwatering clash against hosts South
Africa in Group A, before focus will switch to Group B as England take on India on February 18 and Ireland and India play the final game at St George’s Park two days later.
BOLAND PARK, PAARL
BOLAND Park will host six matches across the group stage, with play getting underway in Paarl when Australia take on New Zealand before the White Ferns play hosts South Africa two days later.
The stadium will host three double headers, with England and the West Indies also in action alongside Australia and New Zealand on February 11.
England then welcome Ireland two days later before February 19 sees New Zealand play Sri Lanka and Pakistan take on West Indies.
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P13 | FEBRUARY ‘23
THE MARVELS
SOUTH Africans afford World Cupwinning teams legendary status. A special place in society is reserved for them.
Hollywood blockbuster movies and documentaries immortalise their deeds. They are seen as superheroes for the rest of their living days.
This is what beckons for the Proteas’ Women’s team over the coming weeks in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. It is an opportunity to imprint their names in the fabric of South African society and forever transform the landscape of women’s sport in this country.
It is an almighty task, especially with the likes of juggernauts Australia, England and also India that stand in their way.
The Aussies’ level of success is, of course, unparalleled in women’s cricket. And arguably even across all team sports. They are the benchmark that everyone aspires to.
But this Proteas’ Womens’ team are action heroes with special powers of their own. Their contrasting backgrounds and cultures are the backbone of their strength which has helped them merge into a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
And like every South African they have had to deal with plenty of adversity, such as the non-selection of former captain Dane van Niekerk on fitness grounds, to get where they are.
There are immensely strong characters in the team though.
Marizanne Kapp is arguably the finest all-rounder in the women’s game. She is ably supported by her fire-brand new ball partner Shabnim Ismail, who is one of the most fiercely competitive cricketers in the world.
And then there’s the silent assassin Ayabonga Khaka and the fresh-faced Nonkululeko Mlaba, who has now shot to No 2 in the
world on the ICC Women’s T20 rankings.
But that’s just the bowling unit. The batters are led by the classy Laura Wolvaardt. There are few better sights in the cricket world than Wolvaardt unleashing that glorious cover drive.
Captain Sune Luus also adds her own skill, while Tasmin Britz and Chloe Tryon possess the firepower to destroy any attack almost at will.
“I don’t think I can explain the magnitude of what a tournament victory could do for our country and women’s cricket, and just women’s sport in general,” Luus said.
“The only way to do that is by winning a trophy, but if that’s what it takes, then we’re up for the challenge to inspire the next generation to pick up the bat and the ball and for people to take women’s sport and women’s cricket seriously.”
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P14 | FEBRUARY ‘23
Zaahier Adams
The Proteas Women’s team are a group of superheroes who will use their special powers to keep the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
IMAGES: ICC | BackpagePix
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P15 | FEBRUARY ‘23
SUPER SIX
Some of the finest players in the world will be on show at the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup.
ICC IMAGES: BackpagePix
THERE will barely be the need for floodlights at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 with all the stars on show. Here are six of the best to take note of ahead of the action getting underway…
AUSTRALIA ASHLEIGH GARDNER
AUSTRALIAN all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner sealed her place in the history books when she took the winning catch in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 final and has kept improving since cementing her place in a stacked batting line-up.
She reached the summit of the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s Rankings for T20I All-rounders for the first time in December 2022 after 115 runs and seven wickets in Australia’s series against India.
ENGLAND NAT SCIVER
ENGLAND all-rounder Nat Sciver had a remarkable 2022 on and off the pitch. Sciver twice scored centuries in losing causes against Australia at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, married teammate Katherine Brunt and took a threemonth break from the game for her mental health.
Sciver, who ended 2022 as a nominee for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, marked her return by being named Player of the Series as England whitewashed the West Indies.
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P18 | FEBRUARY ‘23
INDIA SMRITI MANDHANA
WITH legendary captain Mithali Raj retiring, India needed a new leader with the bat and Smriti Mandhana has taken up the mantle.
Mandhana played a key role when India handed Australia their only defeat of 2022, named player of the match after scoring 79 runs, plus 13 in the super over. The left-hander also picked up a nomination for the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year.
PAKISTAN NIDA DAR
ALL-ROUNDER Nida Dar followed Tuba in winning the ICC Player of the Month award in October, her imperious form producing 145 runs at an average of 72.50 as well as eight wickets during Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign.
Across 124 T20I matches for Pakistan, Nida has been dependable with bat and ball, taking 118 wickets – second behind the West Indies’ Anisa Mohammad in the all-time rankings – and contributing seven fifties.
NEW ZEALAND JESS KERR
JESS KERR occasionally lived in younger sister Amelia’s shadow during their early careers but has now carved out a place in the New Zealand side as an opening bowler.
Kerr missed the Commonwealth Games with an injury but has made up for it by gaining experience in international T20 leagues, playing alongside her sister at Brisbane Heat and London Spirit with both also representing Wellington in New Zealand - as both their mother and father had done before them.
WEST INDIES HAYLEY MATTHEWS
CAPTAIN extraordinaire Hayley Matthews will lead West Indies in a World Cup for the first time having delivered for her side on several occasions – most notably in the 2016 final.
The all-rounder was the Windies’ top-scorer in the showpiece with 66 runs from 45 balls, also taking one for 13, and now leads the Caribbean side through a transitional period.
SPORT MAG VOL.10 | P19 | FEBRUARY ‘23
TELLING STORIES THAT MATTER
