Indonesia’s World Cup report: Captain fantastic leads the way in historic campaign

Wins - 1

Losses - 3

Finishing position - Knocked out in first group stage

This was the first ever time an Indonesian team have been represented at an ICC global tournament, and the U19 Women did their country proud.

While they did not win a group-stage match, victory over Zimbabwe in their final play-off game was just reward for a side who showed glimpses of real quality throughout the competition.

Sonali Dhulap is part of the ICC’s team on the ground in South Africa, and had this to say about her experiences working with and alongside the Indonesia squad:

“Indonesia brought character to the tournament. The moment they stepped on the floor to get their official headshots done, they were bursting with joy and energy. They had some of the best poses at the photoshoot and specific chants to cheer their teammates.

"When they flew down to South Africa it was the first time any of them had ever been on an airplane and they embraced every new experience with enthusiasm. Not knowing the English language well did not dampen their eagerness to learn and improve.

"Their positivity and team spirit can be best described thus: In their very first match, the entire team gathered on the sideline to encourage and send off their openers to bat – a truly heart-warming gesture.”

Indonesia captain Wesika was exceptional with both bat and ball, and finished as her side’s top wicket-taker and leading run-scorer.

Her more than handy swing bowling was a constant threat during the Powerplay, and she made gutsy double-figure contributions on all four occasions she went out to bat.

An unbeaten 34* against Ireland was her best knock, while her standout bowling performance came in the final game as she took the tournament’s first five-wicket-haul against Zimbabwe.

The off-spinner is a real talent, and she played a big role in her team’s best two performances.

Her 3/30 against Ireland restricted the first-innings total, removing Georgina Dempsey and Rebecca Gough at dangerous moments.

And Ariani returned extraordinary figures of 2/7 from her four overs against Zimbabwe, proving almost impossible to get away.

Frankie Mackay – Former New Zealand international and ICC Mentor to Indonesia

“The story that stands out most is Indonesia, who I’m lucky enough to be working with. Hearing how they want to develop their cricket and improve their games – they’re just sponges, they want to learn, they want to get better, they want to grow. When I asked them who’s the best team in the competition, they said ‘us, of course’.”

New Zealand – Lost by 10 wickets

Far more established teams will struggle against the quality of New Zealand, who lost just a single wicket during the entire first group stage.

Indonesia did well to dig in and reach 74/7 after being put under huge pressure with the new ball.

West Indies – Lost by 77 runs

Zaida James was one of the more impressive players in the early stages of the tournament, and her classy half-century game West Indies the platform to post a big first-innings score that was always likely to be out of reach.

But Indonesia could take heart from a gutsy batting performance, ensuring they played out the whole 20 overs and with their top three all getting to spend a bit of time out in the middle.

Ireland – Lost by 49 runs

Some brilliant powerplay bowling from Wesika and Ariani gave Indonesia a bit of momentum, but they were on the receiving end of some powerful middle-over hitting from Irish pair Georgina Dempsey and Zara Craig.

A target of 157 was again slightly out of reach, but Indonesia showed good heart to ensure they batted out the full 20 overs once more, with captain Wesika playing a brilliant knock to finish unbeaten on 34*.

Zimbabwe – Won by 3 wickets

A historic and deserved victory over Zimbabwe saw Indonesia finish their tournament campaign in style.

Wesika's dangerous bowling in the powerplay saw her take two wickets in the opening over and another in her second to leave the African side reeling.

An outstanding display with the ball kept things tight through the middle, with Ariani the standout performer, before Wesika returned to take two more wickets and finish with figures of 5/18.

Wickets fell at regular intervals in the chase of 87, but again it was a gutsy team performance, with 14 the highest individual score (made by both Wesika and Thersiana Weo) and yet the target was still reached with three wickets and two overs to spare.