Sekhukhune confident team will win at Willowmoore Park

Fast bowler Tumi Sekhukhune said the Momentum Proteas are determined to make a strong start to their three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka when it gets underway at Willowmoore Park on March 27.

Sekhukhune said her knowledge of the Willowmoore Park pitch will be helpful to the team, adding that a packed venue will motivate the ladies to start the series well.

“As a team, we would like to start the series nicely with a win and not put ourselves on the back foot. We would like to get a whitewash,” she said.

The Daveyton-born right-arm medium pacer said playing at Willowmoore Park is special to her. She urged locals to come out in numbers to support the team like they always do every time the Proteas play in Benoni.

“It means the world to me to play in front of my family, friends and supporters, and the coaches and those who contributed to my career.

“It’s important for people to come and watch the game. That’s how we will grow the women’s game and create awareness for up-and-coming women cricketers that it’s possible for them to play cricket and forge a career.”

The 25-year-old stated the mood in the camp is exciting, and the ladies are looking forward to the game, adding that the squad was buoyed by the team’s historical multi-format Australian Tour in February, where they beat Australia in an ODI match at home for the first time.

She agreed the tour Down Under highlighted many problems with the women’s game in SA, especially in the red-ball format after the team lost by an innings and 284 runs in the one-off Test against the Aussie women.

The cricketer said there’s a need for a first-class domestic series for women and that more women’s domestic matches must be televised to inspire the next generation.

“It’s high time to see we can also compete on the global stage in any format of cricket. It would be nice to implement three- or four-day camps in the system to try and improve the quality of red-ball cricket,” Sekhukhune said.

Sekhukhune, who played for Easterns from 2012 to 2018, urged the Eastern Storm’s senior women’s and men’s teams to work hard to qualify for division one to uplift cricket in the region.

“It would be better if the senior men’s and women’s teams played in division one. That would help better the system and environment.”

The bowler advised young female cricketers to work hard and never avoid asking for help.

“They should never stop fighting for what they love and always remember we must start somewhere. If you are passionate and driven, you can make your way up and to the Easterns women’s senior team.”

The match against Sri Lanka starts at 18:00.

Also Read: Proteas dig deep to level series

Also Read: Akther spins Bangladesh to victory at Willowmoore Park