Women Proteas look forward to historic home Test

New Proteas women’s coach Mandla Mashimbyi says the result of his side’s one-off Test against England will not be the be-all and end-all of the historic occasion. 

Chloe Tryon is the most notable recall to the 15-player squad named on Tuesday. The 30-year-old all-rounder, who has played two Tests, missed the match against India in May after requesting a break. 

Nondumiso Shangase and Eliz-Mari Marx were axed from the squad that lost by 10 wickets in Chennai. Tumi Sekhukhune, who is not part of the current one-day squad, will take the place of Ayabonga Khaka, who does not want to be considered for the Test format.   

The four-day encounter, to be played in Bloemfontein from December 15 to 18, is part of the multi-format series with Heather Knight’s side and is the first women’s Test to be hosted in SA in 22 years. It will be the Proteas’ third Test this year.

“The result is a must, but it is not the most important thing; it’s the processes we really need to look after, because that will give us the best chance to win the match,” said Mashimbyi, who was officially named head coach last week. 

While the increase in Tests has been welcomed by the players, their overall readiness is hampered by SA not having to play red ball cricket domestically.

Mashimbyi said last week that it’s a subject Cricket SA needs to address urgently, because there is an increased focus on the Test format in the next Women’s Future Tours Programme, with the Proteas scheduled to play five Tests between 2025 and 2029. 

Mashimbyi stressed that playing three-day matches would not only help the players be ready for Test cricket, but also for the limited overs formats. 

“The measurables are quite simple for me: it’s how much time you are willing to spend at the crease as a batter and how patient you are willing to be as a bowler.”

After an eight-year hiatus, SA played a Test in England in 2022, which ended in a draw and featured a century for Marizanne Kapp. In two subsequent Tests since, they have lost to Australia and India, but in the latter there were notable centuries for skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Suné Luus. 

“It will go a long way for the ladies in terms of them understanding their game and what’s needed in the longer version of the game. Getting an opportunity to play red-ball is good for our cricket, and I’m looking forward to what they can bring,” Mashimbyi said. 

The Proteas and England will complete the one-day portion of their series in Potchefstroom on Wednesday. That series is tied at 1-1, after England demolished the home team by six wickets in Durban last Sunday. 

Proteas Women Test squad

Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon