Suné Luus has made the opening role her own – Mandla Mashimbyi

Mashimbyi promoted Luus to an opening batter alongside captain Laura Wolvaardt during the past season, and believes the two have complemented each other very well. 

The 30-year-old was important with both bat and ball in their series against Ireland, Pakistan, New Zealand, and India, and the coach says she can get even better than she is now.

"Pushing Sune up the order is something I've pondered for a while because I needed somebody to play an anchor role with another player who can put the bowlers under pressure up front, and I think them two compliment one another very well at the moment. The last ten or eleven games that she's opened for us, Sune has really shown her class and she can only grow from here."

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Mashimbyi says Luus has grabbed the opportunity at the top of the batting order with both hands, and believes that she has the ability to become one of the best in the world in that position.

"With the confidence she is playing with at the moment, hopefully she can grow in that role and become one of the best openers in the world. I believe she has the ability to do that."

The former skipper was one of the key players for South Africa at last year’s 50-over World Cup, where they went all the way to the final in India. Mashimbyi expects her to also contribute immensely in their next attempt to win an ICC trophy, at the T20 World Cup in England next month.

Meanwhile Titans wicketkeeper-batter Tebogo Macheke earned her maiden call-up to the senior team for the recent India tour, but did not get the chance to make her debut as yet.

Mashimbyi explained what plans they have for the player and the importance of her being there.

"Tebogo has a lot of potential, she's a hard worker and a great human being. As soon as she came into the environment she just wanted to learn and be a sponge to absorb anything that came her way. We really did challenge and push her, and I'm sure she understands now what it will take for her to break into this team."