While there are a number of superstars in the Proteas women’s side, like Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, and Chloe Tryon – the rapidly rising Nadine de Klerk may just be the brutal finisher South Africa needs to win trophies.
Much like Lance Klusener in the 1999 Cricket World Cup for the Proteas men, De Klerk – who was not born yet during that tournament – is a swashbuckling all-rounder that always seems to make telling contributions when it matters most.
The big-hitting Klusener helped South Africa stay in the mix most when the chips were down, and came agonisingly close to beating Australia in that famous semi-final 26 years ago.
Now, the 25-year-old De Klerk has produced performances of the highest order in the last two matches for the Proteas in matches that seemed out of reach for the Proteas.
Nadine de Klerk’s Heroic Innings Secures South Africa’s Victory Against India
Against hosts India last week, a victory target of 252 seemed rather imposing.
Despite a solid opening knock from skipper Laura Wolvaardt (70), the Proteas were circling the drain at 81/5. Even after a sixth wicket stand of 61 between Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon (49), it seemed once more that the game was out of reach when the captain departed with the score on 142/5 with 14 overs remaining.
Still needing 110, in stepped De Klerk. Even though Tryon was still there at the other end, De Klerk scored 84 of the remaining runs as she cleared the boundary six times and also struck eight fours.
Even when the required run-rate appeared to be spiralling out of control, De Klerk held her nerve as she continued to strike the ball powerfully and seemingly with ease.
Ultimately, South Africa won the match by three wickets with seven balls to spare as De Klerk pulled off something of a miracle almost completely on her own at the end.
In fact, when Tryon was out, at 211/7 South Africa still needed 41 runs in 4.1 overs. Ayabonga Khaka scored just one of those runs, while De Klerk and extras accounted for the rest.
Nadine de Klerk Does It Again Against Bangladesh
Against Bangladesh on Monday, it was a similar story chasing 233 to win as South Africa were first reduced to 78/5 when Nadine de Klerk walked in. This time Marizanne Kapp scored 56 and Chloe Tryon starred again with 62.
But when Kapp was out, South Africa fell to 163/6 still needing 70 runs from 58 balls.
Like Klusener all those years ago, De Klerk batted with her lower order partner Masabata Klaas (10 not out) and kept up with the rate.
This time De Klerk struck one six and four fours to end 37 not out to help South Africa to victory with three balls to spare. In both matches, South Africa and De Klerk, in particular, showed nerves of steel when the chips were down.
It could have easily been three losses out of four for the Proteas, but like title-winning sides always demonstrate – they were able to manage the pressure better than the opposition to bag the victory. Unlike in 1999, there’s every reason to believe that the Proteas can go all the way.
@Michael_Sherman
Sport
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