Cricket South Africa’s hunt for a new head coach for the senior women’s cricket team continues after a request for a change in the coaching unit from some of the senior members of the side with an intent to bring in a flow of fresh ideas.
Hilton Moreeng was appointed as the head coach of the senior women’s cricket team in 2012. Under his coaching tenure which is now likely to get extended over a span of 11 years (till the end of 2023-24 season). He took the Proteas Women to number two in the ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings. They are currently the number 3 ranked side in the ODI format with 114 points and at number 5 in the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings with 243 points. He also guided the Proteas Women to their first-ever appearance in a World Cup final in the ICC Women’s T20I World Cup in South Africa last year.
The men’s team has not yet managed to make it to the final in the ICC events, making the achievement of Sune Luus-led senior women’s side even more significant. He also guided South Africa to a semi-final appearance in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand when they ended up on the losing side against England by a massive 137-run margin. Hilton Moreeng’s tenure as the head coach of the South African senior women’s side was all set to come to an end after the conclusion of a historic, memorable campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at home last year. They ended up on the losing side by 19 runs against Australia in the final.
However, his tenure was extended to provide some time to implement the request made by the members of the side in the form of a written letter to CSA. After the extension of his tenure, he guided Proteas to a hattrick of ODI series victories over Pakistan away from home, followed by New Zealand, and Bangladesh on home soil. As a result, of their impressive performances, they are at the top of the ICC Women’s Championship points table with 18 points from 12 matches, including 9 victories. They are getting closer to sealing a spot in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
However, the Proteas women are currently, having a tough time in the T20I format as they were whitewashed by Pakistan (3-0) and managed to draw the T20I series against New Zealand and Bangladesh. South African women’s next assignment under skipper Laura Wolvaardt is an all-format, away series against Australia that includes a three-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series and then a one-off Test match. They will be playing their first Test match after 18 months, having last played against England in June 2022.
The tour will get underway on 27th January 2024 and conclude on 15th February 2024. “The upcoming camp allows us to address certain areas within the squad and to create depth as we prepare for Australia. Although this tour is set to feature three formats, our focus over the next few days is the preparation to compete in the four-day Test Match and we are excited to take on Australia on home soil.” A women’s selection convener Clinton de Preez speaks about addressing certain areas as they prepare for their maiden red-ball challenge against Australia.
(Quotes sourced from EspnCricinfo)
