Cricket
Proteas hopeful for Luus’ availability in Tri-Series clash with India─── MORGAN PIEK 12:38 Tue, 06 May 2025
The Proteas Women are sweating over the fitness of seasoned all-rounder and key player Suné Luus ahead of their second One-Day International against India in the Tri-Series being played in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Luus sustained a patella contusion during the five-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka on Friday, which forced her to be replaced in the field.
She was scheduled to undergo a fitness test on Monday, but this couldn’t take place as she was unwell. Coach Mandla Mashimbyi told OFM Sport that they are hopeful she will be available for the must-win match.
“There’s an update — she was meant to do a fitness test yesterday, but due to illness, she couldn’t do that,” Mashimbyi said.
“But we’re hopeful the issue will resolve. According to feedback from the medical team, there’s nothing to worry about with the knee. Everything is still working fine.”
Should Luus not be fit, it could pave the way for young Free State all-rounder Miané Smit to make her senior debut. Smit is a similar kind of player, offering the team a spin option with the ball.
Suné Luus. Photo: Morgan Piek
Meanwhile, Mashimbyi is embracing the pressure ahead of the game against India. The Proteas have lost their first two games of the Tri-Series, which also features the hosts.
South Africa will need a win on Wednesday if they are to stand any chance of reaching the series final, and the pressure is on. Dealing with this pressure will be a valuable learning curve for the team, especially with the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup scheduled to be played in India.
Mashimbyi told OFM Sport that it’s important for the team to gain as much experience as possible in subcontinent conditions, and it’s better to iron out the issues now, as opposed to during the World Cup. “It’s better that this happened now than during the World Cup, I can assure you that when that moment comes, we’ll be ready for whatever pressure comes our way,” Mashimbyi added.
“This series has been a great learning curve for us, especially in these conditions. After the Tri-Series, we’ll go back to the drawing board and address any gaps we’ve identified.
“As the new coach, this has been a crucial time for me to observe how the team performs under pressure, both when we’re ahead and when we’re behind. There have been some valuable lessons, and as we build towards the World Cup, we’ll leave no stone unturned. We’ll cover every base to make sure we’re ready for any situation.”
The play between South Africa and India is scheduled to start on Wednesday morning at 06:30.
