The final match of the T20 International series is over, with New Zealand holding an unassailable 3-1 lead.
The SA women’s team has already acknowledged that it needs to improve with the ball and on the field, but all-rounder Nadine de Klerk says the Proteas also need to improve with the bat as they look for a consolation win in the fifth and final T20 International against New Zealand in Christchurch on Wednesday (kick-off 3.45am).
Starting the match 3-1 down, South Africa failed to win the series, but De Klerk said they hoped to put together a solid, all-round performance in the dead rubber.
Some players on the team had produced with the bat in the previous four games, most notably Kayla Reyneke and Annerie Dercksen, but De Klerk felt they needed to mesh better as a unit.
“I think it’s important that we try to form some good partnerships. It’s a bit broken at the moment. Our batting unit hasn’t put the puzzle together yet,” De Klerk said.
“So I think this is an ideal opportunity for us to go out and really put in a batting performance and then try to back it up on the field.”
Eager to gain momentum
The Proteas were hoping to hit back in the final T20 game of their tour to gain some momentum in the three-match one-day international (ODI) series against the White Ferns starting this weekend.
“We want to rock out and do a team performance,” De Klerk said.
“We’re very disappointed with the way we’ve played, so we really want to be proud of that ODI series and show the world and New Zealand what we’re made of.”
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