World Cup preparations crucial for Proteas ahead of Sri Lanka, India tri-series
The Proteas are hoping to ramp up their preparations for this year's 50-over World Cup with the tri-series against Sri Lanka and India.
South Africa are looking at their upcoming tri-series against India and Sri Lanka as perfect preparation for this year's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.
The Proteas travel to Sri Lanka next month for an ODI tri-series that will provide an excellent opportunity in conditions the team will likely face at the 50-over World Cup in India later this year.
All matches during the tri-series will be held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo and South Africa coach Mandla Mashimbyi believes it will be a good test for his side ahead of this year's 50-over showcase.
“When you look at India and Sri Lanka in their own conditions, you would rather play those teams there so you can understand what is needed for you to succeed in those types of conditions," Mashimbyi said.
“Hopefully we can take the learnings out of these tours straight into the World Cup in October and be a lot better at executing the plans and executing from a skill point of view as well."
The tri-series will be the first full tour that Mashimbyi will take charge of since he took the coaching job in December and the coach wants to get a look at a host of South African players to ensure he has the right combination for the World Cup at the end of the year.
“It's going to be key for us to really find the right combinations going into the World Cup after that. This tour will give us an opportunity to check which combinations work best for those conditions," he added.
“Also, we want to give opportunities to players that I haven't seen much of. It's a good tour to give those players opportunities. At the same time, we still want to win, so it's important to find that balance between exposure and ensuring we have a team that will fight till the end."
The Proteas made it to the knockout stages of the most recent 50-over World Cup in New Zealand in 2022, but fell to eventual runner-up England in the semi-finals in Christchurch.
Tri-series schedule:
Sunday, 27 April - 1st ODI - Sri Lanka vs India (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
Tuesday, 29 April - 2nd ODI: India vs South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
Thursday, 01 May - 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka vs South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
Sunday, 04 May - 4th ODI: Sri Lanka vs India (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
Tuesday, 06 May - 5th ODI: South Africa vs India (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
Thursday, 08 May - 6th ODI: Sri Lanka vs South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
Sunday, 11 May - Final: 1st Place vs 2nd Place (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)