Tazmin Brits one of three Proteas in World Cup team: ‘I’d swap it for the trophy’

Proteas women’s team opener Tazmin Brits says she’d swap being included in the T20 World Cup team of the tournament for an opportunity to lift the trophy for the biggest prize in women’s cricket.

Prolific opening batter Brits was named in the team of the tournament following the World Cup held in the United Arab Emirates recently, along with fellow opener and Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt and spin queen Nonkululeko Mlaba.

The Proteas lost the final to New Zealand by 32 runs in Dubai on Sunday, the second straight year the South African side have lost the final. In the tournament held at home in South Africa last year, the Proteas came unstuck against Australia in the last match at Newlands.

Wolvaardt was the leading run-scorer at this last World Cup with 223 runs, with Brits second with 187. Mlaba was second in the wicket-takers list with 12.

“It’s great to get the recognition,” said Brits of being named in the team of the tournament, “but I’d exchange it any day to win the trophy.”

‘Hurts’

She added losing the final, after beating the favourites Australia so convincingly in the semifinal was “a bitter pill to swallow.”

“This defeat ranks up there … it hurts,” said Brits moments after the Proteas arrived back in South Africa from the UAE on Tuesday.

“After we beat Australia I didn’t have any doubt that we couldn’t beat New Zealand (in the final). WE knew it wouldn’t be easy. It just wasn’t our day.”

Proteas coach Dillon du Preez, while disappointed with the result, said there were positives to take out of the tournament.

“We’ve now played in back-to-back finals, so there’s consistency in our performances,” said Du Preez, “while a number of individuals’ performances were up there, if you look at the leading run-scorers and the wicket-takers.

“It’s not a good feeling now and there’s a lot of disappointment about the final result, but we’re heading in the right direction.”

Women’s T20 World Cup team of the tournament

Laura Wolvaardt (SA), Tazmin Brits (SA), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Eng), Melie Kerr (NZ), Harmanpreet Kaur (Ind), Deandra Dottin (WI), Nigar Sultana Joty (Ban), Afy Fletcher (WI), Rosemary Mair (NZ), Nonkululeko Mlaba (SA), Megan Schutt (Aus). Eden Carson (12th)