Miane Smit's Caribbean 'fun' sets her up for a place in the Proteas Women's World Cup squad

The Proteas Women’s team may have lost a second successive T20I series since finishing runners-up at last year’s ICC T20 World Cup, but they are beginning to unearth a group of promising youngsters to take the team forward. 

The squad’s dependence on a core group of senior players has long been a concerning factor, but there are signs that the next generation are starting to stake a claim for more prominent roles. 

Last month’s ODI Tri-Series, involving hosts Sri Lanka and India, saw allrounder Annerie Dercksen take centre stage by dominating with the bat, which was highlighted by her maiden ODI century.

Although it would have been hoped that Dercksen would build on the momentum in the Caribbean during the subsequent ODI and T20I series against the West Indies - although that had more to do with how low she bats in the line-up than anything else - there has been another young player, Miane Smit, that has now put up her hand.

Smit, aged just 20, was handed her T20I debut during the Windies series, and showed her vast potential with an unbeaten 59 off just 38 balls (7x4,1x6) in the series-decider to lift the Proteas to a respectable 147/6 after the visitors had slumped to 90/5 with just five overs remaining.

While Smit’s late innings blitz was not enough to get the Proteas over the line, and ultimately the series win, the Bloemfontein youngster has now put her name in the reckoning for a ticket to the World Cup later this year. 

“Yeah, it was disappointing. I think we didn't have enough runs on the board, especially the way we adapted to conditions, and we knew it wasn't the easiest wicket to bat on,” Smit said.

“Maybe few partnerships too short, so maybe we could have had 10 or 15 rounds. I think we sort of let it slip.

“But (personally) it was very cool. Yeah, I think I played a bit smarter today. I didn't force any boundaries where I just rotated very well and waited for the balls.

“And especially towards the end of the innings where we looked to maximise. I thought our options were quite clear and we capitalised at the end.

“Lots of learnings to take (from the tour) and I think it's a good build-up. The way we have thought about things and the plans we have for leading up to the World Cup.”

Smit has previously acknowledged that Proteas’ captain Laura Wolvaardt was her childhood heroine and certainly enjoyed her time out in the middle with the skipper. 

“That was amazing. Probably still can't believe it,” she said. “Yeah, walking in, getting together with Wolfie and the next wicket there was Kappi (Marizanne Kapp).

“'It was incredible. I think the team has just been so loving in a sense. (They've just taken me under their wings. 

“I think one of the things I want to say thank you to them is that I feel backed.

“They really support me and that's probably one of the reasons I can go out in the middle so calm. Knowing my team, she has it, she is prepared. Now I can just go and have fun.”