Proteas Women World Cup prep heats up with pivotal Tri-Series in steaming Sri Lanka

The Proteas Women’s team ICC World Cup preparations begin in earnest at a steaming R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.

There are just five months remaining before the eight best teams gather for the biggest prize in women’s cricket in India.

Judging by the intensity of the qualifiers from which Pakistan and Bangladesh squeezed through, leaving former T20 World Cup champions West Indies on the outside, it is set to be some tournament.

The Proteas could therefore not ask for any better preparation than a Tri-Series involving World Cup hosts India, who they face on Tuesday, and Sri Lanka in subcontinental conditions.

It is not just the turning pitches the Proteas need to acclimatise themselves to, but also temperatures in excess of 30 degrees and humidity levels approaching 80 percent.

"It's definitely a lot hotter than what we're used to back home," Proteas captain Laura Woolvardt said.

 "In fact I think we're going into a winter now [in South Africa], so it's going to be a bit of a shock to the system.

“Also really looking forward to just batting in the subcontinent for a bit and getting used to conditions as much as we can. So, I think it is a very important prep.”

The Proteas Women’s team also rarely play in series involving more than one nation outside of ICC competitions, which is why Wolvaardt believes this Tri-Series is of greater importance as it simulates the pressure of having to qualify for a final.

“It is perfect in a World Cup year,” Wolvaardt said. "Just being able to play in a knockout format, and then a final before the World Cup is a great experience. 

“Conditions-wise, being able to prep and play against different teams is also very good."

Furthermore, the quality of the opposition is of the highest standard. The Proteas played out a 1-1 series draw with Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lankans the last time they met in ODI’s last year, while the Indians whitewashed the Proteas 3-0.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Indian team certainly are the Tri-Series favourites after drubbing hosts Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in the competition opener on Sunday.

Wolvaardt, though, has backed her team’s preparation after the team spent a week at camp together at the Cricket SA High Performance Centre in Pretoria prior to leaving for the Indian Ocean island.

“Prep has been good. We had a few camps leading up to this. One was sort of scenario-based, so trying to get as close as we can to match scenarios without actually playing any real games against opposition,” Wolvaardt explained.

The Indian spin contingent consisting of the experienced Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana and 20-year-old Shree Charani - the trio claimed seven of the Sri Lankan wickets to fall - will certainly pose a threat at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

The skipper has certainly worked hard on her game to make the necessary adjustments to counter the spin threat.

 “They do have quality spinners. I think just all about positions and batting, playing as late as we can,” she said. “Back at home, you can kind of get away with playing a bit too early or letting your hands go a bit. But over here, that will get you in trouble.

“It’s all about trying to be nice and proactive. So, step out the crease or get nice and deep or do something like that, because I think if we are too static, it would not go well against their top-quality spinners.”

The Proteas are likely to unleash a young spinner of their own in teenage leg-break bowler Seshi Naido along with uncapped wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso on Tuesday.

Full Proteas Women squad

Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Lara Goodall, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smit and Chloe Tryon.

Start: Tuesday, 6:30am (SA time)