Image Credit- CA
With a player-of-the-match effort in Sydney that put
South Africa across the finish line against Australia for the first time in
their ODI history, Marizanne Kapp shown once more that she is a match-winner in
all weather, all settings, and all situations. She also understands the
significance of this outcome.
It wasn’t easy since, after being sent in to bat,
South Africa’s innings was disrupted by a few rain delays in the middle overs.
Even though Kapp wasn’t always at ease, she persevered and hit 75 off 87 balls,
helping the visitors to a respectable 229 in a truncated 45-over innings.
“It’s a proud moment,” Kapp said, “not
only for me but for South African cricket as a whole. We all know we’ve never
beaten Australia in a one-day game. So, to be able to perform and help my team
over the line is a massive achievement for me.”
“At first it was okay,” she said, “but
then I probably got a little bit annoyed because I was worried that the wicket
might get too wet and it might make things difficult later on. I definitely
felt like at the back end when I batted it got really tough, one or two balls
really sprung at me especially off a length.
“I knew It was gonna be tough. In saying that, I
knew Australia would have to bat on it as well. So it was something that went
both ways.”
But this was Australia, a team whose skill and
dedication have allowed them to maintain long-term success. But this was also a
team that was changing. Meg Lanning, who had led them from the front for almost
ten years, was no longer with them. And they no longer exuded that sense of
invincibility, even if they still had a powerful side. However, there is more
to the story, and it’s not all that horrible.
“There’s definitely a change and I’ve mentioned
it previously as well,” Kapp said. “Losing someone like Lanning,
you’re never going to be able to replace her, not her captaincy and I don’t
think her batting as well. I remember too many games where we had Australia in
trouble and she came in to bat and she saved them. So, yeah, I think everyone’s
catching up a bit around the world. Even your Associate teams are picking up
against your lower-ranked teams. It’s good for the women’s game. It’s a lot
more challenging and, hopefully, this can continue.”