Smit's 'fun' in the Caribbean sets her up for place in squad

THE Proteas Women's team may have lost a second successive T20I series since finishing runners-up at last year's ICC T20 World Cup, but they are beginning to unearth a group of promising youngsters to take the team forward.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

The squad's dependence on a core group of senior players has long been a concerning factor, but there are signs that the next generation are starting to stake a claim for more prominent roles.

Last month's ODI Tri-Series, involving hosts Sri Lanka and India, saw allrounder Annerie Dercksen take centre stage by dominating with the bat, which was highlighted by her maiden ODI century.

Although it would have been hoped that Dercksen would build on the momentum in the Caribbean during the subsequent ODI and T20I series against the West Indies although that had more to do with how low she bats in the line-up than anything else there has been another young player, Miane Smit, that has now put up her hand.