CAPE TOWN - Often in a team of stars, the contributions of those in the engine room go unnoticed. South Africa’s women cricket captain Dané van Niekerk was making no such mistake, with the skipper heaping praise on the “unsung heroes” of the Proteas’ hugely successful ICC World Cup campaign.
Van Niekerk has certainly been one of the shining lights, with the leg-spinning skipper topping the overall bowling charts with 15 wickets, while opening bowlers Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp have received plenty of accolades for their impressive work during the tournament.
Equally, Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee are being touted as arguably the most dynamic opening batting pair in women’s cricket due to their contrasting styles of technique and power.
But Van Niekerk wanted to shine the spotlight on players’ contributions that might have gone unnoticed.
Seamer Ayabonga Khaka immediately springs to mind. The Bachelor of Health Sciences student at the University of Fort Hare gradually grew in stature as the World Cup progressed.
After a slow start in the opening games, Khaka became a regular contributor with crucial wickets in the remaining Proteas’ matches. Khaka showed she also possessed the crucial element of Big Match Temperament with a remarkable spell in the semi-final against England.
Khaka claimed the first two England wickets and delivered her entire 10 overs for just 28 runs.
“Anybody who watched the semi-final, the way Aya went about her work, it was ridiculous. She is world-class, and has shown immense growth. One of the most economical bowlers in the world. She is a great role model too, and I’m sure plenty of girls are going to follow in her footsteps. I am actually excited to see what she’s going to do in the future,” Van Niekerk said.
The skipper was particularly pleased with the way Khaka and left-arm seamer Moseline Daniels bowled in tandem as the duo maintained the pressure on the opposition batters after Kapp and Ismail’s spells were completed.
“We always speak about our opening pair, because they set the tone, but the two in the middle have been doing it brilliantly. I am spoilt for choice. They have been brilliant throughout the tournament.
"The talent we have is world class. If we have to go player-for-player, I looked at the stats, it was actually scary.
"The highlight for me, is to realise that we can beat the best. It’s very close, it’s very soon, and then we’re going to lift the trophy,” she stated.