East London is a long way from London, but England’s women cricketers will hope to feel at home when they take on their Proteas counterparts in the opening T20 international match at Buffalo Park on Sunday.
While England hope for a smooth ride, Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africans will be out to make the visitors’ trip to the coastal venue as uncomfortable as possible.
The Three Lionesses entourage were the first of the teams to touch down at King Phalo Airport on Thursday afternoon, their first visit to East London since 2004.
Freya Kemp, 19, the youngest in the squad, was not even born when Claire Connor’s team claimed a 119-run victory over the Proteas, the biggest winning margin in an ODI at Buffalo Park.
On Sunday (2pm), they will return to the same venue where they dismantled the home side, but for the shortest international white-ball format.
It will be the opener of three matches, with the other two to be played in Benoni and Tshwane.
Much has changed since 2004 and though England have enjoyed dominance in past matchups against the Proteas, recording 20 wins to the Proteas’ four in 25 matches with one no result, South Africa will be buoyed by their recent success in the format.
The Proteas are back-to-back T20 World Cup finalists and the memorable semifinal triumph over the English in Cape Town in 2023 will still be in the back of their minds.
Annerie Dercksen said it was time to shift the momentum.
The all-rounder said it was time to move on from their final loss to New Zealand and get their minds primed for the much anticipated all format series against England.
“It was disappointing not getting over the line. We wanted to win it for the country,” Dercksen said.
“It is time to move on. Yes, it will sting every time we think about it, but it is time to move on and hopefully win the next one.
“We’ve got our brand and the way we want to play. We will keep going with that and not look too much at them,” she said.
“England are a quality side and we love coming up against quality opposition as it brings out the best in us. We are excited about our brand and our philosophy.”
The Proteas Women have been regular visitors to Buffalo Park in the past two years.
Their results have not been that favourable though, having won only three of their last 10 T20s.
Those stats will be a concern for the Proteas as a starting venue for the inbound tour which will see them play three T20Is, three ODIs and a Test against the tourists.
Dercksen and the Proteas will be determined to buck the trend.
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