Proteas Women's seamer Ayabonga Khaka.
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Proteas Women’s seamer Ayabonga Khaka believes a return to the longer ODI format will bring out the best in her again.
Khaka played only T20Is during the home summer, missing both ODI series against Ireland and Pakistan, as coach Mandla Mashimbyi experimented with a younger inexperienced bowling attack.
Twenty-one-year-old Ayanda Hlubi was trialled along with allrounder Annerie Dercksen, but Khaka was recalled for the three-match series against New Zealand.
Despite not playing an ODI since the ICC World Cup final defeat to India in Mumbai last November, Khaka hit her stride with career-best figures of 6/56 in the first match of the series against the White Ferns in Christchurch.
“I think I was happy to contribute to the team. I think the last ODI I played was during the World Cup,” Khaka said.
“It was nice to get back to the ODI side and just try to find myself again, I guess.”
It was only Khaka’s second five-for of her career, but the veteran 33-year-old seamer still felt that she was not at her best and will hopefully improve as the series progresses.
“I think, to be honest, I was not happy with how I bowled today. There's still a lot to improve to. But, yeah, I think I'll take today as it is,” she said.
“I think I have room to improve. It's been a while since I bowled for the ODI side.”
Khaka has a deep appreciation for the 50-overs game as she believes the longer format is not as relentless as the T20 version where bowlers are placed under constant pressure.
“I think I just enjoy the (ODI) format. It gives you a bowler a chance to come back every spell that you get,” she added.
Khaka and the rest of the Proteas will be looking to close out the ODI series when they face the White Ferns in the second match at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Tuesday.