The Proteas Women will seek to set the record straight when they face England in Kimberley on Wednesday (3/12)  in the first One-Day International.

The Proteas are hurting after their 3-0 T20 International series whitewash against the Lionesses. However, it was a valuable exercise as younger players were afforded the opportunity to experience playing against a top opponent.

The Proteas welcome the return of seasoned campaigners such as Marizanne Kapp and Masabata Klaas for the ODIs.

The captain, Laura Wolvaardt, told OFM Sport that it’s always great to have experience back. “Yeah, very happy with the opportunity that a lot of youngsters got in the T20 series.”

“I think it’ll be good for our side going forward to have people with more experience at international level. And yes, it's always nice to welcome back experience, so definitely happy to have those experienced players back.”

England, in turn, will be wanting to build on their momentum from the 3-0 T20 International series win. Playing in Kimberley will be something new for the visitors, and while the pitch is generally a good one to play on, other factors will come into play, such as the searing Northern Cape heat.

The English captain, Heather Knight, told OFM Sport they are expecting a good pitch, and it’s a matter of adjusting to the conditions – something they have done very well on tour thus far.

“We haven’t got a huge amount of experience here,” said the highly experienced Knight.

“Probably our coaches have had a lot of training camps here, actually. So, they know it reasonably well.

“It’s the used wicket, I think. So it looks a little bit dry, but I think it will play pretty well. It probably won't be quite as quick as it was in the last two T20s. I thought those pitches were properly quick and bouncy, which was really fun to play on and created a really good spectacle, but I think it will be a reasonable wicket.

“There’s obviously the heat to contend with and the day-night stuff.”

Wednesday’s first One-Day International at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley is scheduled to get underway at 14:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek