Siyo pleads for more support from South Africans

South Africa U19 women’s captain Oluhle Siyo has once again called on South Africans to rally behind the team as they prepare for the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in January.

“We need everyone’s support. We need the country to back us,” pleaded Siyo following South Africa’s 5-0 whitewash of Zimbabwe in their five-match T20 series at Willowmoore Park.

Despite the South Africans putting their bodies on the line and convincingly hammering their opponents, Willowmoore Park remained empty in all five matches.

Barring a few fans from Zimbabwe who were a regular fixture in the series, the home support remained largely poor, especially as Willowmoore Park is one of the World Cup match venues, including the opening match between South Africa and India.

“The fans drive us. Even the small crowds we had this week, drove us to do as best as we could.

“The crowd is essential for us. If we can get that support, it would be amazing because the fans are what’s going to drive us through this World Cup,” she said.

Except for the first match where Zimbabwe put up a fight, it was a pedestrian performance from the visitors. Siyo and her teammates upped the ante in their preparation for the global showpiece.

“South Africans should expect good cricket. Our team is well-rounded. We have a good batting order and bowling unit. We’ve got boxes and goals to tick. We really want to make it through to the top four and we are working as hard as possible to get there.

Siyo reiterated that they won’t rest on their laurels as a tougher test in the form of India awaits them in December.

“From this series, we’ve learnt a lot about where we are as a team and how hard we should work on our batting, bowling and fielding.

“It has taught us a lot. We are very hard on ourselves because we know what’s coming in the world cup. That’s why we have to be clinical even in situations where we are dominant. India will be a real test to see where are and how hard we’ve worked,” she said.

The one area Siyo is concerned about is their fielding, saying it lacks intensity. She said their priority is to be more clinical and to get the basics correct.

“We all know we lack intensity and we feel it on the field. The bowlers can feel it too. That intensity is there to back the bowlers and make fielders keep on working.

“We want to drop fewer catches and get the basics right. That’s our priority.”

South Africa’s all-around performance was summed up by brilliant batting, especially in the power play. Their bowlers worked impressively in their spells, leaking as few runs as possible.

“As a batting unit, in the top six, at least one of us has to be there until the last four overs. We plan to get around 105 runs in the first 10 overs. We tend to go aggressively at the start, taking on the bowlers as much as possible.
“All the bowlers have been doing well. The spinners have been slowing down the game in the middle overs and that’s what we need from them.

“We want our opposition to force themselves to make runs. That’s how we take our wickets and it’s been working to our effect.”

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