ICC Emerging star Dercksen feels she's better prepared for Mandhana now

ANNERIE Dercksen will always remember her Proteas Women's ODI debut at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last year.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

But not for the reasons that you may think. While it was the fulfilment of a life-long dream and she had the wicket of Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur to cherish, Dercksen's primary recollection is standing in the field and admiring the brilliance of Smriti Mandhana.

The graceful Indian opener was in the form of her life and her full array of strokes was on display during her 117.

It certainly was an eye-opener for Dercksen, who hails from the small town of Beaufort West in the Great Karoo region, that she had now officially joined the big show.

"I've got to say, in my debut game, I think she scored close to 150 (sic)," Dercksen exclusively told the Indy Sport Show from Colombo.

"I've got very great memories of her. She's obviously a class player."

The ICC Emerging Women's Player of the Year did not play in the remainder of the ODI series, but she watched closely from the dugout with Mandhana following it up with 136 and another 90 in the two remaining matches.