The Proteas will be in action at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Monday when they face England in Sharjah.

The Proteas Women go into the big game with a lot of confidence after thrashing the West Indies by 10 wickets on Friday in Dubai. The big positive apart from the win for South Africa was that it was a really fine bowling as well as batting performance.

England in turn opened their account with a 21-run win against Bangladesh.

Tazmin Brits during the 2023 semi-final against England in Cape Town. Photo: Cricinfo/ICC

The match will be a repeat of the 2023 semi-final in Cape Town. On the day the Proteas became the first-ever senior South African team to reach a World Cup after beating England by 6 runs at Newlands.

In that semi-final, Tazmin Brits, scored 68 runs while she equalled the record of four catches in a Women’s T20 International match.

The Klerksdorp-born Brits, who scored 57 not out against the Windies, said Monday’s game is very important and they have to win in order to make it a lot easier to reach the semi-finals.

“We’ve got a big game on Monday against England and as everyone knows, that’s always a tough one,” said the destructive opening batter.

“But we don’t want to leave it for the last game. So, if we can make sure we win all of the games, of course, that will be ideal to make sure we guarantee that spot in the semi-final.

“We never take teams lightly, even if it is a Scotland team. I mean, they are very hungry and it’s the first World Cup year so I don’t think you should think it’s a walkover team, so yes, we’re trying to do our best to make sure we’re in that semi-final.”

Play in Dubai is scheduled to start at 16:00.

 OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh