Proteas Women's batter Sune Luus.
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The shootout to partner Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt at the top of the order at the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup is intensifying with just three matches remaining before the opener against Australia in Manchester.
Wolvaardt was shifted down to No 3 during the past summer with some success, but the skipper has been restored to her regular opening position in the on-going India series. It has reaped immediate results with Wolvaardt striking two consecutive half-centuries in Durban over the past weekend.
Although Wolvaardt averages 40.83 at a strike-rate of 126.94 at No 3 in comparison to 33.28 at 113 when facing the new ball, the Proteas have a much more settled look about them when the skipper walks out in front.
Her calmness often filters through the rest of the Proteas batting unit with the entire line-up suddenly looking a lot more settled.
Former skipper Sune Luus certainly fed off this positive energy on Sunday at Kingsmead as she contributed a solid 57 off 46 balls (6x4; 1x6), sharing a 106-run opening stand with Wolvaardt, to lead the Proteas to a comfortable eight-wicket victory in the second T20I.
“Yeah, I'm still new to the opening scene, but it's a lot of fun,” Luus said. "And I think with Laura, as my partner there, I think she brings a wealth of experience as well.
“So, I think just to be batting with her in the middle, facing an opposition like India doesn't get any better than that.”
Luus has been among the standout batters for the Proteas Women’s team this season, particularly in the longer ODI white-ball format, averaging 102.5 against Ireland, 75 against Pakistan and 38 against New Zealand. Her T20I form has not been as prolific but still steady enough, and it has now picked up again during this on-going India series.
“I think I've been hitting the ball well all season. I think it's been frustrating not to get those big scores for me,” Luus said.
“It's been awesome just to contribute in every single game that I've been a part of and just to keep hitting the ball as well as I can. It's only a matter of time when knocks like these are going to come out.”
Luus’ attacking intent during the Powerplay — the first six overs when only two fielders are allowed out on the boundary — will certainly stand her in good stead when coach Mandla Mashimbyi eventually makes the call on who will open the batting at the T20 World Cup.
The veteran virtually matched her skipper Wolvaardt shot-for-shot in Sunday’s Powerplay as the pair added 66 runs at a run-rate of 11 during the run chase. It equaled the Proteas’ record for their highest score in the Powerplay with Luus unbeaten on 34 off 22 balls and Wolvaardt 30 off 15 when the fielding restrictions were lifted.
“I think we always want to go out and play with intent. Whether we're chasing 90 runs, 140 or 200 runs,” Luus said.
"I think a Powerplay is a situation where you take on bowlers and you try and maximise it. And that's what Laura and I try to do. And even after the Powerplay, even when the field's spread, you don't lose your intent in the way you play.”
The Proteas and India will face off again in third T20I at the Wanderers on Wednesday.