The Proteas all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who has been a fundamental member of South Africa’s women’s cricket squad since 2009, excelling in both T20Is and ODIs, encountered considerable obstacles earlier this year when she almost announced her retirement. Nevertheless, Kapp’s choice to continue has been rewarding, as she persists in excelling with both bat and ball, positioning herself as one of South Africa’s leading athletes.
Since the beginning of 2024, Kapp has been in remarkable form for South Africa, demonstrating her value as a pivotal participant in both T20Is and ODIs. In 9 T20Is this year, she has accumulated 295 runs, closely trailing Laura Wolvaardt’s 311, and has also secured 4 wickets. In ODIs, her influence has been even more pronounced, amassing 389 runs in 9 matches, highlighted by a superb 114 against India, while also contributing with 4 wickets. Despite these outstanding statistics, the path hasn’t been entirely straightforward for Kapp. Earlier this year, she seriously contemplated the difficult choice to retire from international cricket, but was persuaded to rethink her stance. Now, Kapp expresses gratitude that she did not go through with her decision, feeling she is playing some of the finest cricket of her career.
Enoch Nkwe, the Director of Cricket at Cricket South Africa (CSA), was one of the crucial figures who encouraged Kapp not to hastily make a decision about retirement. Together, they evaluated her workload, and Kapp has since committed to representing South Africa in the foreseeable future, including in the upcoming T20I and ODI World Cups within the next year. Nkwe’s confidence in her talent has proven to be justified, as Kapp has risen to become the second-highest run-scorer for South Africa in both formats this year.
Kapp’s tenacity comes at a time when South African women’s cricket is undergoing a transitional phase. Her wife, former South African captain Dane van Niekerk, along with explosive wicketkeeper-batter Lizelle Lee and esteemed fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, have all retired from international cricket. Their exits have left substantial voids in the team, and South Africa continues to search for suitable replacements. Reflecting on this, Kapp acknowledged, “The players who retired have left a massive gap in the team, and it’s going to take quite a while to try and fill their shoes. I mean, it wasn’t your average players that retired. They were big names, individuals who played very important parts, so it will certainly take time for us to reach our peak again.”
Kapp also emphasized the need to provide younger players the opportunity to step forward and take advantage of their chances. “There are definitely positions open within the South African team, and now we just need to give some of the youngsters a chance as well,” she added.
Currently, aside from Kapp, there are only three other seasoned players in the squad: all-rounder Chloe Tryon, captain Laura Wolvaardt, and top-order batter Sune Luus. The rest of the team comprises younger, less seasoned players, making Kapp’s function as a senior member even more essential. However, retirement is not currently on her agenda. She is confident she has much more to offer to both the Proteas Women’s team and the broader realm of women’s cricket.
“I’ve actually been feeling really good. Yes, I know I’m 34 years old, but I feel like I’m playing my best cricket at the moment, and I’m discovering something new about myself every single game I step out on the field to play,” Kapp noted, underscoring her continuous development as a player. “I’m enjoying my cricket, and I’ve always been someone who takes care of my body from a very young age. So, even though I’m 34 on paper, I feel like I’ve got a few more years in me. As long as I’m making contributions and performing, I will play for as long as possible.”
Kapp’s physical health, however, has not been free from difficulties. Over the past three years, she has faced persistent back issues, a common concern among seam bowlers who undergo lengthy bowling spells. Her role as a top-order batter adds additional strain, necessitating her to bat for prolonged periods after a strenuous bowling spell. During South Africa’s recent excursion to India, she managed her workload meticulously, bowling just two overs across a series that consisted of one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is. “For the past three years, I’ve really been struggling with my back. We’ve tried every possible approach to improve my back. It seems we’ve finally found a solution,” Kapp shared, conveying hope regarding her recovery.
Her passion for bowling remains as strong as ever, and Kapp reaffirmed her dedication to both elements of her all-round skill set. “I enjoy my bowling, and I feel like as an all-rounder, you never feel complete if you don’t perform both skills, so I will definitely be bowling at the World Cup,” she asserted.
As Kapp gets ready for the forthcoming 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, the stage is poised for more excitement. Initially set to occur in Bangladesh, the tournament has been moved to the United Arab Emirates due to political turmoil in the original host nation. From October 3rd to 23rd, ten teams will compete in 23 matches across two venues—the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium—contending for the ultimate title in T20 cricket. South Africa has been placed in Group B, alongside England, Bangladesh, West Indies, and Scotland. They will commence their campaign on October 4th with a clash against the West Indies.
Image Source: Marizanne Kapp @ Instagram
