While the Proteas side have won three of their last four encounters against the West Indies, that will mean little as the teams clash in their opening Group B game of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai on Friday.
This is according to Proteas top order batter Anneke Bosch.
In fact, though SA are on a good run against the West Indies — their most recent meeting was in January 2023.
That’s a long time in world cricket, according to Bosch.
As the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup 2024 kicks off in the United Arab Emirates, the Proteas Women are taking a heartfelt approach to stay connected with their fans with the message: “Always Rising - For Me, For Her, For Them, For All, For South Africa, For The Proteas.”
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) October 3, 2024
The… pic.twitter.com/jEWLO0wqRI
‘Tough team to beat’
“We haven't played them in a long time, we know they are a very strong team especially in World Cups they tend to perform very well — they are a tough team to beat,” said Bosch.
“They have a lot of big hitters and good bowlers, and they love T20 cricket obviously, they are a tough team to compete against so it will be a good match definitely.”
The Proteas women became the first senior SA side to make it to a Cricket World Cup final as hosts in Cape Town last year. Though they were beaten to the T20 World Cup title by Australia, they will fancy their chances.
After the Windies game, the Proteas will take on England in Sharjah on Monday.
That assignment will not be any easier for SA, probably even tougher explained Bosch.
“They have been one of the best sides in the world for a while, but we also haven’t played with them for a while. I think the last time was in the semi-finals of the World Cup last year, and obviously that went our way,” said Bosch.
“We also have good memories and confidence from that win, but they are one of the best teams in the world, and they have a lot of good players.”
“Beating them will be a big challenge and a good achievement for us because they are a good side. We know they will come hard and give everything. Every team we play against also wants to win, it's not just us, every team gives everything they can, and they will do their best.”
As for their third match against Scotland in Dubai, it may be difficult to know what to expect from an unknown Scotland team.
“It makes it kind of dangerous playing against Scotland because we have never played against them for as far as I know, and I kind of don’t know what to expect.
“So, you can only watch previous matches of them and look at videos to get an idea of what to expect.”
“It's always a bit of a challenge when you play a team for the first time, but they will be another team we will be on the lookout for, and we will have to be at our best to beat them.”