Proteas ready to play their 'best cricket' in World Cup opener, says Tyron

THE Proteas Women have only beaten England once since their World Cup semifinal defeat in Christchurch four years ago.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Since then, there have been six ODI encounters between the rivals with England triumphant in the other five.

Abundant reason, then, for Laura Wolvaardt's team to be rank underdogs heading into Friday's World Cup opener in Guwahati.

But hold hard there. Although England came back to win the series 2-1 in South Africa last December, the Proteas opening six-wicket win in Kimberley served as a marker.

Not only are these two teams closer than they have been for years but it was the beginning of new coach Mandla Mashimbyi's tenure after the long-serving Hilton Moreeng.

Along with some fresh-faces that have infused a much-needed youthful energy into the Proteas squad, all-rounder Chloe Tryon therefore feels the team is ready to match their group stage victory over the same opponents at the last World Cup here in northeastern India.

"I think the team has changed a lot over the last couple of years, so I'm not looking at too much of that stats," Tryon told the media on Wednesday.