South African all-rounder Sune Luus is buzzing with excitement as the Women’s ODI World Cup kicks off in India in less than 20 days. She can’t wait to play in front of the passionate Indian crowds, who make cricket feel like a massive celebration.
“Very excited,” Sune said in an ICC interview on Thursday. “Playing the World Cup in India, the crowds are so lively, and the way they love cricket just makes it even more special.” She even joked about India being like the “home of cricket” – though England might claim that title, India’s passion rivals it. “I’m thrilled for the trip and the journey. Our team is in a great spot this year, with a solid squad ready to shine.”
Sune highlighted how South Africa’s recent matches have geared them up perfectly for the big event. They faced tough challenges in a tri-series in Sri Lanka and a series against the West Indies earlier this year, which helped everyone fine-tune their roles and strategies.
“It’s been an amazing year of preparation,” she added. “We started with provincial cricket in February, focusing on World Cup-specific training. The trips to Sri Lanka and West Indies were huge – we nailed our game plans and built confidence. All the players are in a good mental space, enjoying cricket, and chatting like a close-knit team. That’s key for a strong Women’s ODI World Cup performance.”
South Africa has reached the semi-finals three times before – in 2000, 2017, and 2022 – but they’ve never made the final. Sune says the team is laser-focused on breaking that barrier and making history.
“Our first goal is to reach the final – we’ve never done that, and it would be epic,” she explained. “Of course, we dream of bringing the trophy home, but we’ll take it one match at a time. Lots of steps to get there.”
The Proteas will start their Women’s ODI World Cup campaign against England on October 3 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Fans in India, get ready for some thrilling cricket action!
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