Proteas Under-19 Women Aim for ‘Attacking Cricket’ at T20 World Cup, Says Coach Devnarain

The South African Under-19 women’s cricket team is gearing up to play an expressive and attacking style of cricket at the upcoming T20 World Cup in Malaysia, according to head coach Dinesha Devnarain. With the tournament just around the corner, the team is confident, having dominated their warm-up series against the United States.

South Africa’s Under-19 squad currently leads their series 2-0, and they are set to play their final warm-up match before departing for Malaysia. Their final game in Cape Town on Tuesday saw them clinch a seven-wicket victory, giving them a boost heading into the global competition, which kicks off on January 18.

Confidence Boost Ahead of the World Cup

“We have a balanced team, with strong performances in batting, bowling, and fielding. We’ve put in a lot of work over the past 18 months to ensure we’re ready for this tournament,” Devnarain explained.

The head coach emphasized that these warm-up games have helped the team find their rhythm and focus on improving their skills, fine-tuning their tactics before facing the world’s best. While Devnarain was tight-lipped about the specifics of their strategy, she made it clear that the team would play with passion and energy, staying true to their attacking approach.

“We’re going to be ourselves, play expressive and attacking cricket, and give it our all. The aim is to bring our best game, and we’re fully prepared,” she said.

The Proteas Under-19 women’s team will be hoping to make a statement in Malaysia, with a clear focus on winning their first-ever T20 World Cup title. “When it comes to these types of tournaments, you can’t really pick a favorite. Every team is gunning for the same goal, and anything can happen on the day,” said Devnarain.

The team’s first match is against New Zealand, and Devnarain revealed that they would be approaching the game with a winning mindset. “Our goal is to reach the semi-finals, and then we’ll take it from there. We’re aiming for the trophy, but we know that it’s all about handling the big moments,” she added.

The South African squad was officially capped at a special ceremony at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, a moment Devnarain described as “goosebump” worthy. This symbolic event, held during Day 3 of the Proteas Men’s Test match, saw the young players honored for their hard work and dedication.

Devnarain, reflecting on the ceremony, said, “It was really special for all the players and staff. Walking out in front of a crowd at Newlands was an unforgettable experience for all of us. It’s a huge motivator knowing that people back home are watching and supporting us.”

Having previously competed in a T20 World Cup, Devnarain brings valuable experience to the coaching staff. She is determined to use her knowledge to lead the team to success. “I’ve learned a lot from my past World Cup experiences. We’ve put in the work and built momentum, but it’s all about how we handle the pressure of big moments,” Devnarain concluded.

As the Proteas Under-19 Women’s team prepares for the World Cup, all eyes will be on their exciting, dynamic brand of cricket as they chase a historic victory.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com