One problem South Africa has solved ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup but the other big question is still open – who bats at No. 3?
Mandla Mashimbyi, the head coach of the South African team following them crashing out of the World Cup 2019 before dropping to play at Old Trafford, was inevitably asked the very same question in his presser ahead of their clash with Australia. He didn’t elaborate on any concrete plans, but playing along he quipped that they would need to have someone batting at 3 when the team takes the field.
There has been some debate around the position after South Africa’s recent experiments with their batting order. Earlier this year, Laura Wolvaardt had batted No. 3 in the opening eight T20Is as captain. While she made some handy contributions including a well-crafted 61 and a couple of not outs in the forties, the team subsequently shifted her to an opener which was more to her liking.
That change proved highly successful. Wolvaardt dug deep to earn a recall at the very top of the order in their T20I series against India. With one 92 and another a brilliant knock of 115 at a strike rate of 168.37, she also hit two half-centuries here. Her acts were an important part to South Africa becoming better at the start, after a tedious period of formation from the opening pair.
This left a hole at No. 3, with Brits still searching for that position to call her own after Wolvaardt’s return to open the batting In five innings since taking the job, Brits has only topped 20 balls faced once. She is still a huge threat if she can free her arms, but has often fallen short through disciplined bowling.
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South Africa do have alternatives. Dane van Niekerk provides experience upon her return and while she has not played much at first drop, her time in international cricket is brief other than that, having only faced nine balls across a pair during her one-day international comeback against England last week. Annerie Dercksen is another option but again has little recent experience in the role, as an all-rounder.
But Mashimbyi is trying to remain calm about it. I think we have enough numbers and resources to be able to choose a style of cricket that they’re wanting to play. The search for the perfect No. 3 may be one of the keys to South Africa clinching the World Cup crown on their home soil this autumn.