Nadine de Klerk backs Proteas to benefit from Australia reality check

Proteas Women’s allrounder Nadine de Klerk feels they learnt a lot from Thursday’s match against Australia, despite the heavy defeat. Nadine de Klerk believes theProteas Women have emerged better prepared for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cupdespite ending their training camp against Australia with a heavy defeat in Arundel on Thursday. Australia powered to an 85-run victory in the final match of a three-game series, posting 212/6 before restricting South Africa to 127/6 at the Arundel Castle Cricket Ground in Arundel, England.

Yet De Klerk insisted the bigger picture remains positive as theProteas complete their final phase of preparationbefore the tournament gets underway next week. “I think this is probably the best way to prep for games,” De Klerk said afterwards.”You can be in the nets and work on stuff, but it never comes close to being out in the middle. We got some good cricket in, we tried a few new things and it’s great to see where the group is at from a batting and bowling point of view.” “I think this is probably the best way to prep for games,” De Klerk said afterwards.

“You can be in the nets and work on stuff, but it never comes close to being out in the middle. We got some good cricket in, we tried a few new things and it’s great to see where the group is at from a batting and bowling point of view.” The result capped a productive block of preparation for Laura Wolvaardt’s side. South Africa won the opening fixture by seven runs before rain washed out the second match, ensuring the series provided both encouragement and valuable lessons against the world’s top-ranked team.

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Thursday’s defeat exposed areas still requiring attention. Australia were kept in check for periods, with Ayabonga Khaka claiming three wickets, but a major middle-order partnership and a late assault pushed the total beyond 200. De Klerk felt the bowling unit could still take positives from the contest.

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