Nadine de Klerk reacts to Proteas Women milestone

Having made her debut back in 2017, de Klerk has amassed 43 matches so far for South Africa, and has best figures of 4/32 which came against Pakistan in 2023. 

After removing India's Deepti Sharma for nine runs to claim the all-important milestone scalp, she says it meant a lot because it was harder to get in those conditions.

“I mean, you always want to contribute to the side and I guess as a bowler you love taking wickets. Especially if it’s not easy coming," said the 25-year-old. 

"On these conditions wickets are really hard to come by, and yeah it’s been a great journey for me so far and hopefully it keeps getting better from here on."

De Klerk did, however, admit that the conditions they’ve played under so far are best suited to her game, despite having lost their opening two matches.

“I think these conditions suit me quite well. I’m the slowest of the ‘bomb squad’, so I try and keep it really easy. Keep it nice and tight and try to bowl to my field," she added.

"Sometimes you get really lucky and pick up a few wickets, and sometimes you have to craft really hard.”

She went on to speak about the hot conditions in Colombo, something the team has struggled with since their arrival there.

“It’s obviously extremely hot. I think also batting first and having to come out and field after lunch is never easy, especially in these conditions. 

"We also didn’t have a lot of runs on the board, so we really had to put in a good shift today [against Sri-Lanka]. I think it’s hot, we know it’s hot and it’s not going to change. 

"I guess it’s just about taking the learnings from these last two games, try and see how we can get better and adapt to the heat," concluded de Klerk.

Having first lost to the Indians by 15 runs and then to the host nation by 5 wickets, the Proteas Women will next be in action on Wednesday against the former, in their third match of the tri-series. 

READ: Proteas Women trusting the process despite another loss