#ALWAYS RISING

Photos: BackpagePix | www.photosport.nz By ZAAHIER ADAMS

The Proteas women’s team are genuine World Cup contenders

“IF you want something said, ask a man, if you want something done, ask a woman.”

These were the famous words of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. And that’s exactly what the Proteas women’s team have been doing. They are working hard, smiling, and most importantly, winning.

Since 2020, the Proteas’ women’s team have won successive one-day international series against New Zealand (3-0 away), Pakistan (3-0 home), India (4-1 away) and the West Indies (4-1 away).

The Pakistan series included the first-ever “Black ODI” as the Proteas women’s team added their voice and commitment to the fight against femicide and violence against women in South Africa.

This hot-streak of results have seen Hilton Moreeng’s team leapfrog current world champions England into second place behind Australia on the ICC ODI rankings and raise the Proteas’ status to genuine contenders at next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.

“I think the way we have been portraying ourselves on and off the field just shows the world we mean business,” Proteas fast bowler Shabnim Ismail said.

“Yes, it is baby steps towards the World Cup, but the way we are playing our cricket at the moment just shows that when we do go to the World Cup, I am very sure that we are going to give everyone a run for their money there. I am really excited to go to the World Cup for us to show off our talent there as well.”

The upward trajectory of the Proteas has certainly not gone unrewarded with T20 franchises signing up a host of players, who are now all “household names” after competing in Australia’s Big Bash League, England’s The Hundred competition and the Women’s IPL.

South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail in full cry.

“We have the experience in the camp. The experience factor within the whole group is an asset and it’s really showing,” Ismail said.

“There are a lot of players in the Big Bash, and obviously coming from The Hundred, the way we are playing our cricket is immense. I think this is the strongest team we have ever had at the moment.”

No senior SA cricket team – male or female – has played in an ICC World Cup final, let alone crowned world champions.

But as Britain’s “Iron Lady” said “if you want something done, ask a woman” and there’s no doubt the Proteas women’s team are preparing to shatter yet another glass ceiling as they continue to rise.

Shabnim Ismail celebrates with the rest of her Proteas teammates during the 2021 series against Pakistan in Durban.