Sune Luus, one of South Africa’s most celebrated cricketers, has reached a monumental milestone in her illustrious career. As she stepped onto the field against Scotland in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Luus made her 250th international appearance—a testament to her longevity.
In her milestone match, Sune Luus once again showcased her vital role within the team, making contributions with both bat and ball. She played a crucial innings, finishing unbeaten on 18 off 13 balls, forming a pivotal partnership of 28 runs off 19 balls with Marizanne Kapp, which helped propel the team’s total. Additionally, she made her presence felt with the ball, taking the crucial wicket of Lorna Jack-Brown, underscoring her all-around capabilities and impact on the match.
Since her international debut in 2012 during South Africa’s tour of Bangladesh, Luus has been a pillar of consistency for the national team. Initially making her mark as a specialist bowler, it was in 2016 that she emerged as a genuine all-rounder, amassing 399 ODI runs and firmly establishing herself as a force on the global stage. Over the course of her career, she has represented South Africa in 3 Tests, 124 ODIs, and 123 T20Is, making her one of the most experienced players in women’s cricket.
🚨𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭🚨
Former Proteas captain Sune Luus will feature in her 250th International match today.
3 Tests, 124 ODIs, 123 T20Is#CricketTwitter #T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/NUJo0TGspt
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 9, 2024
Luus’ batting milestones speak volumes about her consistency and ability to perform in all formats. She has scored 3,873 runs across 250 matches, with notable performances in every format. Her lone Test century—a gritty 109—came against India, showcasing her ability to adapt to the demands of the longer format. In ODIs, her top score of 107* came against Pakistan, while her T20I career hit a high point with an unbeaten 71 against Bangladesh. In total, Luus has recorded 1 Test century, 1 ODI century, and 20 half-centuries across formats, highlighting her reliability as a key contributor to South Africa’s batting lineup.
As a bowler, Luus has proven time and again that she is a match-winner. With 167 wickets in her international career, she has produced some unforgettable performances. Her standout figures of 6 for 36 against Ireland in ODIs remain the second-best figures by any South African woman in the format, just behind Shabnim Ismail. In T20Is, she recorded her best figures of 5 for 8, also against Ireland, solidifying her reputation as one of South Africa’s most lethal bowlers in the shortest format.
Luus’ leadership has been another crucial aspect of her career. She made her captaincy debut in May 2017 against India, and up until early 2023, she led South Africa in 1 Test, 34 ODIs, and 34 T20Is. Under her leadership, South Africa reached the semi-final of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2022 and made history by reaching the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. This achievement was groundbreaking as it marked the first time a South African team, men’s or women’s, had reached a World Cup final, further solidifying Luus’ legacy as a leader.
Luus also holds several notable records in international cricket. In 2016, she took the most wickets by any bowler in ODIs, claiming 37 wickets that year. She is one of only three cricketers to have taken five or more wickets and scored fifty or more runs in the same ODI match, a testament to her all-round abilities. Additionally, she has claimed five five-wicket hauls in international cricket, the second-most by any player in women’s cricket, behind West Indies’ Anisa Mohammed.
At just 28 years old, Sune Luus has already left an indelible mark on South African cricket. Her 250th international appearance not only celebrates her individual excellence but also underscores her status as one of the all-time greats in women’s cricket.
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