Photo Credit: WarrenGallo Images
All-rounder Micaéla Andrews is eager to get going in the new season after an imposing display in the last campaign as the Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers count down to their opening round of matches in the CSA Women’s Provincial One-Day Cup and T20 Cup this weekend.
After securing promotion from the second division, the Badgers (formerly South Western District) are set to begin their Division One journey with a battle against the Fidelity Titans at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
The two teams will face off in a 50-over match on Saturday, 01 October before wrapping up the weekend with a T20 encounter. Both matches will be streamed live on Pitch Vision from 10h00 SAST.
Ahead of an intriguing 2022 / 23 season for the Southern Cape outfit, Andrews, who proved to be the star player during last year’s successful showing, opened up about the team’s emotions when her side clinched a spot in the Top 6.
“The tears were there, and we were so excited hearing that we are part of the Top 6,” the 24-year-old recounted. “We were so grateful that God answered our prayers, being with us the whole season and helping us. We couldn’t have done it without him. All credit goes to God.
“We are now finally part of the Top 6, the feelings of the team last year, we were so emotional seeing ourselves there. We are part of it now and our hard work is paying off,” she added.
Last season, the Kimberley-born fast-medium pacer produced outstanding performances for the Badgers, claiming a total of 21 wickets with the ball across both formats, before adding 150 runs in four innings, including a best of 64, in the T20 competition.
“Mickey”, as she is known to her peers, was named as SWD’s Player of the Season, in a year where she saw plenty of growth in her game after setting specific targets for herself. It will be no different for Andrews in this campaign, particularly as she hopes to break into the Momentum Proteas set-up in a World Cup year.
“I think it was my best season,” she noted. “I have improved so much as a cricketer, bowling wise and batting wise. I have ticked the right boxes in achieving the goals I have set for myself, and the hard work is paying off.
“My personal goal for this season is to achieve what I have set for myself; discipline, hard work, putting the extra work in and to enjoy myself
“I want to just push myself and believe in myself,” the right-hander said.
As a regular attendee of national training camps, as well as featuring for the SA Emerging teams in recent tours, one would forgive Andrews for having her mind on making the squad for the upcoming 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup being hosted at home in February next year.
Instead, Andrews’ focus remains on kicking off the new campaign with the Badgers as they take on the challenge of the top division, armed with talents such as Momentum Proteas top-order batter, Tazmin Brits, spinner Jané Winster and rising stars, Khayakazi Mathe and Annerie Dercksen.
“Our domestic season is finally here, and we are about to get underway this coming weekend, so the level of excitement is very high,” Andrews commented.
“The importance of the season is to remain in the Top 6, to enjoy ourselves, to play against the best players in the country, put in the hard work and make sure every game, we improve.
“We will bring something new to the table.
“The thing that makes my team special is being the new team in the Top 6. It will be something new for us, the experience that we are going to get there, the cricket is on another level,” she added.
Week 2 – Fixtures:
CSA Women’s Provincial One-Day Cup (All matches start at 10h00 SAST – except for Mpumalanga vs Limpopo – 09h30 SAST)
Saturday, 01 October –
Division One:
North West Dragons vs Six Gun Grill Western Province (Witrand, Potchefstroom)
DP World Lions vs Hollywoodbets Dolphins (DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg)
Fidelity Titans vs Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers (SuperSport Park, Centurion)
Division Two:
Boland vs Kei (Boland Park, Paarl)
Eastern Province vs Border (St George’s Park, Gqeberha)
Eastern Storm vs KZN Inland (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Mpumalanga vs Limpopo (MCU Oval, eMalahleni)
CSA Women’s Provincial T20 Cup (All matches start at 10h00 SAST – except for Mpumalanga vs Limpopo – 09h30 SAST)
Sunday, 02 October –
Division One:
North West Dragons vs Six Gun Grill Western Province (Witrand, Potchefstroom)
DP World Lions vs Hollywoodbets Dolphins (DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg)
Fidelity Titans vs Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers (SuperSport Park, Centurion)
Division Two:
Boland vs Kei (Boland Park, Paarl)
Eastern Province vs Border (St George’s Park, Gqeberha)
Eastern Storm vs KZN Inland (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Mpumalanga vs Limpopo (MCU Oval, eMalahleni)
