Anneke Bosch does not sound like someone willing to complicate matters. On the eve of Saturday’s series decider against New Zealand, the all-rounder set out South Africa’s plan in fairly plain terms.
“Just keeping things simple. I think on the field, just sticking to our plans and sticking to the basics, not trying to overcomplicate it or overthink it, and just taking our chances as well, because we let ourselves down in the field a couple of times in this series,” she said. “A series win is up for grabs, and we really want that, along with the points in the ICC [Women’s] Championship. So, it’s a really important game tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be another good one, and we’ll be better than the previous game.”
So far the three-match contest has offered little breathing space. South Africa pinched the opener off the final ball, chasing 268 with two wickets in hand, only for New Zealand to reply two days later with their own last-gasp win. That second match produced a record women’s ODI chase of 347, Amelia Kerr’s unbeaten 179 from 139 balls overshadowing Bosch’s career-best 91.
Still, the Proteas draw comfort from Bosch’s return. The 30-year-old had not played an ODI since last year’s World Cup final, spending the intervening period in domestic cricket. The time away, she admits, was challenging yet productive.
“It’s good to be back. I’m happy and grateful to be back. Obviously, when you do get chances, you want to use them,” Bosch reflected after her 90-ball innings. “It doesn’t always work out, but you want to make the best of every chance that you get. So, I’m happy that it came off, and hopefully I can contribute again in the future and get the team into good positions.”
Asked about the months on the sidelines, she was typically matter-of-fact. “It’s never nice being left out or missing out on tours, but I understood why. I think just going home, playing domestic cricket, really working hard and trying my best to dominate there, spending time in the middle, and just enjoying cricket and having fun.
“At the same time, trying to get better and working on a couple of things, cricket-specific and on the mental side of the game, just to improve in every aspect.”
South Africa may tweak their bowling, which has leaked runs at the back end, yet the wider brief feels refreshingly straightforward. If Bosch and company can hold catches, avoid the odd misfield and offer less width to Kerr, they believe the ICC Championship points will follow.
Simple on paper, rarely so under pressure – but that is the task at Seddon Park. New Zealand have momentum, South Africa the incentive of an away series win. Saturday should tell us which carries more weight.
