Momentum Proteas leave for the UK
Momentum Proteas Women’s side will depart for England to play one of the two strongest teams currently in the UK, England.
“WE are lining up women’s cricket in South Africa to be parallel with the men’s side and are having a full squad of professional players at this stage,” said Cricket South Africa Chief Excecutive, Haroon Lorgat.
Momentum Proteas Women’s side will depart for England to play one of the two strongest teams currently in the UK, England. The team will also have the luxury of having their three T20 Internationals shown live on SuperSport.
This announcement came on the eve of the departure to the UK on Monday August 25.
In keeping with the spirit of Women’s Month, Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Broadcast Partner, SuperSport International, confirmed that they will televise the entire bilateral series against England.
The team received this good news at a send-off function hosted by Momentum and held at the High Performance Centre at the University of Pretoria.
The series will star on Monday September 1.
“This is certainly a landmark achievement for the Women’s game in South Africa,” said Lorgat.
“Never before have we seen a South African broadcaster televise the entire series of our Momentum Women’s National team, and this will help us to generate greater interest by raising the profile of Women’s Cricket.
“We had experienced the benefits of live coverage during the ICC World T20, when our women cricketers were seen live in action for the first time, and the decision by SuperSport to continue this trend will certainly benefit the sport. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to SuperSport for this decision,” said Lorgat.
Women’s cricket continues to make strides in South Africa. Just recently, thanks to the partnership with Momentum, central contracts for the Women Proteas increased from six to 14. This year’s National Academy intake also saw Women’s players included for the first time. And there has also been an increase in Women’s Clubs around the country, with 79 clubs now actively involved in women’s cricket.
“Momentum is very proud to be associated to women’s cricket in South Africa and we saw great strides in this code. We wish them luck and hope that they excel in their progress to playing good cricket in England,” said Momentum SA Head of Brand Danie van den Bergh
Charlene Lackay, Momentum head of External Communications and CSI, said: “Live match coverage is fantastic news for the ladies, given their growing fan base at home and increasing interest in competitive performances of national women’s teams globally. Live TV coverage increases the pressure, but we believe the ladies are equal to the task. Momentum has always believed in this team, and has been working hard to build their profile. We’re very proud of them and want them to feel the support of the nation all the way in England.”
National women’s captain, Mignon du Preez, said, “This is amazing news for women’s cricket in South Africa. We are extremely excited to have television coverage of a tour for the first time, and we look forward to showing the country what we’re all about and just how much talent is in this squad. We hope that this is just the first of many televised tours, and that having South Africa finally see us play will inspire other young girls to choose cricket as their preferred sport to play.”
SA Tour to England Fixtures:
Monday September 1: first T20 vs England;
Wednesday September 3: second T20 vs England
Sunday September 7: third T20 vs England
Tuesday September 9: first T20 vs Ireland
Wednesday September second T20 vs Ireland
