Marizanne Kapp has asked the Proteas Women to be more consistent if they want to be among the best sides in the world.
Fresh off the highs of the recently concluded T20 World Cup, South Africa came into the white-ball series against England oozing with confidence, and there was a sense that they would turn their fortunes and secure a big scalp in the former world champions in either the T20 or ODI series.
England were wounded, and they also had a point to prove after their disappointing showing at the global showpiece, and they duly delivered with a 3-0 thumping in the T20 series, and followed it up with a 2-1 win in the ODIs.
The first ODI win by six wickets was by far the best match Laura Wolvaardt and her charges played in the series.
But the second and third encounters were far from perfect, with below-par showings with both bat and ball, continuing an inconsistent pattern that has been around for quite a few years now.
“We are not too happy with the result,” Proteas all-rounder Marizanne Kapp commented after the rain-affected series decider saw the hosts go down by six wickets in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old, in the company of Chloe Tryon, was in a good position to drive South Africa to a solid first-innings total.
But the fall of their wickets handed England the ascendancy in the final ODI, and they went on to win it to secure the series.
Kapp ended on 38 off 54 balls, and also claimed 3/24 with the ball.
“We were building very nicely with the bat earlier today, and losing myself and Chloe with 10 overs to spare hurt us a little bit, because we were working towards that back-end and hopefully getting a hundred in that last 10.
“That was possible if you had two set batters on this wicket.
“Also a little disappointed with the fight we showed in the bowling.
“We knew it was going to be almost like a T20. I would have liked it if we had stayed in the fight a little bit longer.”
Kapp added that the Proteas need to improve on their performances to close the gap between the best sides in the world as the ODI World Cup approaches next year.
“If I have to be a little critical, we are a little bit too inconsistent.
“Your bigger teams usually have very good performances and then average performances, whereas I feel we are still a little bit either great or we don’t rock up at all.
“But there have been a few changes in the last year or two. Hopefully we can work towards that ODI World Cup.
“I should have kicked on and gotten a big 80 for my team, and that could have gotten us to the 300 mark. I think it is such little things that are hurting us at the moment.”
The experienced all-rounder has been impressed by the impact new coach Mandla Mashimbyi has had on the team so far, and she believes he has what it takes to shake up the Proteas in the right direction.
“What I have seen so far, I have really liked. He looks like a guy that is not afraid to make changes, and I think that is what we need moving forward,” Kapp said.
“He says things as they are. Sometimes you can be too soft when it comes to players and performances.
“You just need that kick, and I think he’s definitely the right person for that.
“He obviously has a lot of knowledge because he’s been through the system, and I’m really excited to work with him.”
England will finish off their tour with a Test against the Proteas, which starts in Bloemfontein on Sunday.