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Springbok Women determined to topple mighty Canada
Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi said her team will enter Loftus Versfeld with excitement and determination when they face Canada at 13:30 on Saturday.
Smit made her T20 International debut for South Africa on Friday, and scored her first half century on Monday, albeit in a losing cause against the West Indies.
Before Smith could even hold a cricket bat, there were women who represented South Africa for almost nothing, without contracts, and these women were instrumental in the fight to narrow gender disparities.
Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport, she says she and the other youngsters are aware of that and very grateful.
"We are very aware of the privilege we as youngsters have these days, stepping into the professional women's game, which comes with the best coaches, the best players, the best massage therapists, and the best hotels.
"So we are immensely grateful and thankful for all those players who came before us," said the enterprising youngster.
The 20-year-old, who also made her debut in One Day Internationals during the recent tour of the sub-continent, she expressed gratitude to coach Mandla Mashimbyi for putting trust in young players like herself and wicket-keeper Karabo Meso.
She says it’s important for the future of the team to be exposed to the international stage now and learn from the experienced players in the team.
"The most amount of learning happens in a game, so I have to say that I'm blessed to have received this opportunity to play the sport I love at the highest level."
Speaking of those experienced players, Smit revealed that former skipper Sune Luus was the one who took her under her wing when she first arrived in the team. There’s over a hundred cap difference between the two in both ODI and T20I matches, making Luus the perfect candidate to teach Smit the ropes of international cricket.
"Out of everyone in the team, I'm definetly closest to Sune Luus, who took me under her wing from the start. We've started to become best friends when we enter camp," said an upbeat Smit.
The Caribbean tour was the final competitive preparation for the Proteas Women ahead of the World Cup in India from September. Smit is likely to make the squad for that tournament and the T20 World Cup in England next year, and says they have a genuine chance to win one or both of them.
Issued on SABC Sport by Benjamin Leshoro | https://www.sabcsport.com/cricket/news/miane-smit-grateful-to-proteas-women-trailblazers
