Annerie Dercksen happy to open T20 World Cup with Australia

The two teams square off at Old Trafford in Manchester on June 13, in one of the first big clashes at the competition. 

She says while they’re in a tough group that also includes India and Pakistan, they’re looking to lay down the marker against a side that beat them in the 2023 final.

"Yeah obviously quite a tough pool, I think playing Australia first is probably better than playing them last if we're being honest. So, yeah, definitely looking to put a big perk in the ground with that first game and sort of get our World Cup campaign off to a good start but yeah I believe that it will be a good contest and hopefully we can make it through that tough group," Dercksen said.

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Following that disappointment in Cape Town three years ago, South Africa went on to lose another final to New Zealand in the following edition in Dubai. 

While she says they haven’t felt much pressure to get it right this time around, they’re desperate to go all the way and lift the trophy to atone for past heartbreaks.

"Uh, I don't know, maybe a little, not that I've thought about but it would be nice if we get into another final, we can take that one step further this time. It would be nice," she added.

The 25-year-old was part of both those T20 World Cups although only played at the last one.