Marizanne Kapp is healthy and fit ahead of the Women's World Cup

At 35 years of age, and having been playing at the highest level for 16 years, there were questions around Marizanne Kapp’s physical state ahead of the World Cup later this month.

Kapp plays a unique role in the Proteas women’s team as she normally spearheads the bowling attack and bats in the top order, a role that can be taxing on the body.

However, Kapp reiterated that the conditioning block that Cricket South Africa placed her on earlier this year, one that saw the all-rounder rest and miss out on the tour to Sri Lanka in April-May, has been helpful in getting her ready to play her all-round duties to the fullest in the upcoming World Cup.

The 35-year-old emphasised that her time in The Hundred last month has given her the game time she needed to get in shape for the World Cup.

“I had that fitness block earlier this year that certainly helped, and I actually needed the tournament, The Hundred, to prepare for the amount of cricket that I'm going to play now,” Kapp said.

“You can do all the fitness you want in the world, but being out in the park and actually playing cricket is the only thing that helps the body, and I feel like the more I play, it's actually better for the body. So I'm feeling good, I'm excited. Preparation has been good, and we have this Pakistan series to just sharpen up on some skills.”

The Proteas women’s team heads into the showpiece event on the back of two consecutive T20 World Cup finals, a feat that Kapp believes has instilled belief and confidence in the side.

“I feel like we've always had such a capable team with talented players, but I think it definitely helps. In the past, we always got stuck at semi-finals, where now we actually made it to the finals,” Kapp said.

“So, now it's like every time you play a World Cup and you go a little bit further, you learn something new. The experience of going one step further just gives you that extra bit of confidence.

“So, I think we'll probably go into this World Cup with a bit more confidence in the sense of knowing we've beaten every team that's there, that we've performed that at the big events. So, now it's just go out there and put up a performance.”

The side has been sharpening skills at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban for the past couple of weeks as they looked to imitate the conditions that they will be met with in India and Sri Lanka.

Kapp is confident that the preparation they have had in Durban will put them in good standing for the conditions that they will face in the subcontinent.

“I think the preparation has been very good because I've had quite a few camps now and very specific camps as well, and I personally enjoy playing in India with the ball and the bat,” she said. 

“It's a special place to play cricket, the fans, the whole atmosphere of just playing there, and now I can just imagine playing a World Cup there. It's going to be next level.

“So again, the preparation has been good. I enjoy playing there. I think the girls are very excited to just go out and do our best. The hard work has been done. Now it's just to go out there and enjoy every moment.”

The Proteas women are set to play a three-match ODI series in Pakistan this month before switching their focus to the first match of the World Cup against England Women on 03 October.