The Lionesses lead the three-match series 1-0 after a hard-fought four-wicket victory in the opening match in East London on Sunday. While England will be eyeing a series win, the Proteas are confident they can even the score.

Young seamer Eliz-Mari Marx, who delivered a standout performance at Buffalo Park, believes that fine-tuning minor aspects of their game will be key to success.

“It was an incredibly exciting game for me, especially being back with the team. I love representing my country and always feel fired up to play for the badge,” said the 21-year-old.

“I draw a lot of inspiration from Gerald Coetzee, and I really enjoyed my comeback game in that sense. I don't know him that well, he just recently joined the Titan, so hopefully in time to come I'll meet a bit of his aggression side and also his personal side.”

Reflecting on her journey, Marx acknowledged the challenges of missing out on the recent T20 World Cup but highlighted the value of that time to hone her skills.

Gerald Coetzee. Photo: Cricinfo

“It was tough not to make the World Cup squad, but it gave me an opportunity to work on the finer details of my game. I focused on improving my bowling, batting, and fielding. It’s all about making those small but impactful adjustments,” she explained.

Marx added that taking a key wicket, such as that of England captain Heather Knight, was a confidence booster but emphasized the importance of sticking to the basics.

‘It’s about sticking to the plan’

“Getting out top players like Heather Knight is always exciting and a huge confidence boost. But for me, it’s about sticking to the plan – going stump-to-stump and keeping it simple.

“When you bring the stumps into play, there are so many dismissal opportunities.”

With the Proteas determined to bounce back, tonight’s game promises to be a thrilling contest. The match at Willowmoore Park is set to start at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh