Proteas Women v Pakistan: Suné Luus eyes frontline spinner role after inspiring ODI opening win

Suné Luus delivered a timely reminder of her all-round value as the Proteas Women opened their ODI series with a 37-run win over Pakistan in Bloemfontein on Sunday – but it is her role with the ball she is eager to grow once more.

Luus struck an unbeaten 93 to anchor South Africa’s total of 260, before claiming two crucial wickets to halt Pakistan’s momentum during a threatening middle-overs partnership between Sidra Amin and Ayesha Zafar. Amin top-edged a Luus delivery and Ayanda Hlubi took a stunning diving catch behind the wicket to dismiss her.

“It was crucial for us to get that wicket,” Luus said, after the match.

“They were building a big partnership and both batters were looking to score big hundreds. Hlubi took a great catch and I think that just shifted the momentum.” 

While she fell agonisingly short of a third ODI century, Luus insisted personal milestones were secondary to the team’s needs. Her measured approach allowed Sinalo Jafta to celebrate a maiden half-century in her 50th ODI, a moment Luus said reflected the unseen graft behind the scenes.

“For me it was just about batting long and deep,” she explained.

“When Sinalo came in there were still about 10 overs left. I wanted to stay there until the end to make sure we had that platform.”

Once a regular wicket-taker early in her career, she admitted she had missed bowling during periods when her focus shifted heavily towards batting. Handed the chance to turn her arm over by skipper Laura Wolvaardt with the game hanging in the balance, she delivered. 

“I love bowling and I’m always keen,” she said.

“I want to be in the frontline spinners again, so I’m slowly working my way back towards that. I’ve always wanted to be a three-facet player for the team. If I can be economical in the middle and grab a couple of wickets, that’s a bonus.”

Pakistan spin bowling coach Abdur Rehman admitted the decisive difference lay in the closing stages – and in the field.

“In the last 10 overs we gave them easy runs; we didn’t bowl in good areas,” Rehman said.

“The big difference was the fielding. They saved about 20 to 30 runs in the field. That is the huge difference.” 

With the second match at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday, Luus is hoping they can wrap up the series with one match to spare and assert themselves at home – something Luus acknowledged has not always been consistent.

“It’s always great to start like this,” she said.

“We’ve done well at World Cups, but not always in series, especially at home. We want to put some authority on that.”

With Mandla Mashimbyi's Proteas team missing some of the frontline bowlers, Luus also has the chance to re-assert her authority as a frontline bowler.