Marizanne Kapp put age-related concerns to bed in Lahore as Cricket World Cup preps intensify

WHEN the Proteas women’s squad for the ongoing three-match ODI series against Pakistan and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was announced, there were concerns around the average age of the team.

With a team age average of 29, seven of the players, all of whom are generally starters in the team, are above the age of 30, with all-rounder Marizanne Kapp being the oldest in the squad at 35 years of age.

Kapp, with age not on her side, many were concerned about whether the all-rounder would play the all-round role the world has grown accustomed to.

However, on Tuesday, Kapp put all those concerns to bed, having bowled seven overs in the scorching sun, before blasting an unbeaten 121 to guide South Africa women to a famous eight-wicket victory in the first ODI.

The 35-year-old acknowledged the toughness of the conditions and emphasised that even the youngest player in the playing XI, the 20-year-old Miane Smit, would have had difficulties with the conditions.

“I think I've always shown that I can do both skills. I'm not going to stand here and say it was easy, but I think even a 20-year-old would find today very difficult, because it was not easy conditions. It doesn't matter your age, it doesn't matter your fitness,” Kapp told the media.

“Ultimately, even Taz (Brits), she's as fit as can be; she struggled out there, and she's not even a bowler. I think it's sometimes a bit unfair to say it's because of this or that or age. To be an all-rounder is extremely hard work.”

Kapp and Brits put together a record 216-run partnership for the third-wicket and helped each other navigate the difficult conditions to ultimately secure a 1-0 series lead for the visitors.

“I think we helped each other out there brilliantly. There were times where she got frustrated and she struggled a bit, and I helped her, and then vice versa, when I struggled, she just told me to stay calm, watch your head, things like that,” said Kapp.

“So, it wasn't only the run partnership, but it was the actual partnership of two people speaking out there, helping each other, because she found it very difficult out there as well. The conditions were next level.”

Kapp told the media that they hope they can remain consistent in the two remaining matches of the ongoing series and that they would be able to take the positive momentum to the World Cup.

“I hope so (we can be consistent). It's definitely testing conditions, not only the pitch, but the overhead conditions. (The ongoing series is) brilliant prep for the World Cup, but I'm not too sure it's going to get any easier,” she said.  

“As long as we are improving and everyone gets to go out there in the middle, I think we are happy.”

The second ODI is set to get underway at 12.30 on Friday, 19 September.