“We couldn’t adapt quick enough with the bat,” says Proteas Women coach Mandla Mashimbiyi

The Proteas Women Coach Mandla Mashimbiyi said last night that his team found it hard to adjust to the batting conditions in Barbados, where they lost the second T20 by 6 wickets to the West Indies. 

A change in strategy by the West Indies, who opted to go for the slow and wide route, may have been too much for his ladies to acquaint themselves with, putting up just 113 runs in 20 overs. 

The Proteas Women could not string together a solid partnership in the top, middle or lower order and didn’t see any standout batting performances - which have generally put up by Tazmin Brits during this tour. 

They found their line and length with the ball though, squeezing the hosts right down to the last over, earning Mashimbiyi’s adulation. 

With just a 24-hour turn around before the third and final T20I on Monday night, Mashimbiyi said he’s only taking away positives going into tonight’s match with confidence. 

“We just didn’t score enough runs. We did not adapt well to the conditions. We came in with a lot of confidence based on how we played the last game, but I think the conditions played a big role and we just didn’t adapt well enough to make sure we get a score that will be competitive. 

“However, the way the bowlers went about their business to take it to the last over is a big positive for us. There is a lot of learning for us to take away in terms of adjusting our targets based on the conditions and I think we couldn’t do that today. We didn’t put any partnerships together…but come tomorrow, (Monday) we will be a different outfit,” Mashimbiyi said after the match. 

The West Indies mainly threw spin at the Proteas, which made it difficult to reach the boundary and it showed. A single six was hit during the Proteas innings along with 4 four’s. Mashimbiyi said this was surprising because they’ve “been playing spin well recently”. 

Brits and the captain Laura Wolvaardt could not really get the team going this time around, and saw a quick flurry of wickets fall after them. Mashimbiyi was not too phased at it, saying he was confident in the depth they have down the order. 

“The lovely thing about this team is we know that we have a bit of depth from a batting point of view. Players down the batting order have come on and put us in good positions. So, if they (top order) fail then that’s it, the other people need to come in and score the runs. But again, the nice thing is that a lot of players are putting their hands up, but I guess it just wasn’t our day,” the Proteas Women coach said. 

Another positive takeaway from last night's game was the contributions made by the two youngsters Karabo Meso and Miané Smit - who held it together for some time in the tail end. While they may have been low scores, coach Mashimbiyi said both ladies have shown “big improvements” from when he first took over.

Meso has also been playing a more senior role from behind the stumps, naturally, as any wicketkeeper must do. 

“I think we’re investing in the right people,” Mashimbiyi said.