Nthabiseng Nini repays coach’s faith with match-winning debut

Nini had the best start to her career with two of her three wickets coming in just the second over of the match at the Queen’s Sports Club, and had the hosts on the ropes at 5/2 having dismissed opener Nyasha Gwanzura and clean bowled captain Kellies Ndlovu.

The Ikageng-born former Under-19 star explained what differences from the junior teams she has observed since being in camp.

"I feel it's unbelievable, if I can put it that way. It's a great feeling to represent your country; I've done it with the U19s, but it's a bigger one now. So, it's really special for me. I would say the difference for me is the environment; the quality of cricket doesn't change," said Nini.

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The 21-year-old shared what both coach Mandla Mashimbyi and captain Laura Wolvaardt said to her before the match. She went on to get a third wicket of Loreen Tshuma in the fourth over for the day’s best bowling figures of 3/17.

"So the message from the captain and coach was to keep it simple. Use the new ball wisely and then let the batters make mistakes. The other message from the coach was, 'Think of the cones when you practice in the nets. Don't look at the batter because you're going to make too many mistakes.' And, yes, I think that really helped me today; hence, I executed my bowling."

While South Africa eventually clinched a relatively easy 6-wicket win, Nini believes they took the foot off the gas a bit later in the first innings, and should not have even let the Lady Chevrons get to 116 runs after the start they had.