Proteas Women’s batting coach Baakier Abrahams believes the upcoming tri-series against hosts Sri Lanka and India is the ideal preparation for the ICC Women’s World Cup later this year on the subcontinent.
The Proteas have been exposed to subcontinent conditions regularly over the last 12 months with tours to India and Pakistan along with the T20 World Cup in Dubai, where Laura Wolvaardt’s team finished runners-up for the second consecutive year.
“Yeah, I think the series against India and Sri Lanka, in Sri Lanka, is coming at the right time for the team,” Abrahams said.
“It'll give us a good gauge in terms of the progress the batting unit has made in the last 12 months. I think we've been really clear in terms of our mindset and how we want to play. That will allow us to put some good steps in place in terms of looking ahead to the World Cup later in the year in India.”
FIXTURE UPDATE! 📢
The Proteas Women’s ODI Tri-Series against Sri Lanka and India has new dates! 🏏🔥
Our ladies are ready to take on two powerhouse teams in a battle for ODI glory! 🇿🇦🇱🇰🇮🇳 Stay tuned for all the action!#AlwaysRising #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/q8YgMc3GwB
The Proteas Women assembled at the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Centre of Excellence in Tshwane on Sunday where they will conduct a training camp in preparation for the Tri-Series from 27 April to 11 May.
The Proteas’ Men’s team underwent a similar training camp ahead of their tour to Bangladesh last year where Test coach Shukri Conrad attempted to simulate the conditions by raking the pitches for it to turn appreciably.
Abrahams stated the Proteas Women's group won’t be taking such drastic measures, but he expects the pitches to deteriorate naturally over the course of the week.
“We've had some good time working on our skill development and using that proactively to allow us to transfer pressure onto the opposition and be able to navigate different conditions and different game situations,” he said.
“So in terms of this camp, what we're really looking forward to is, fortunately, we are here for the week. So as the week goes on, the conditions will deteriorate, which is similar to the series potentially in Sri Lanka, where all the games are going to be played at one venue.
“So you're going to find yourself playing on used wickets and as it goes along, start deteriorating. So in terms of the match scenarios that Coach Mandla (Mashimbyi) alluded to.
“It's about introducing the ladies to those different scenarios they could find themselves in terms of their entry points, understanding their role clarity, and individually become comfortable on how they start navigating their way through those different types of conditions and match situations, whether it be bat first or chasing.”
Abrahams also feels Sri Lanka will be a real test of the Proteas’s credentials, especially on their own patch.
“Not too long ago, they were Asia Cup champions. They were really competitive in our own conditions. And obviously under Chamaria Tapatu, one of the leading players in the world, it'll be a good test for us on how we go about our cricket in Sri Lanka and starting to start gelling as a team, looking forward to obviously the series that's coming up later in the year,” he added.