Kayla Reyneke remains humble ahead of 2nd T20 against Pakistan Women in Benoni

Proteas Women’s all-rounder Kayla Reyneke, despite her dream debut in Potchefstroom earlier this week, wants to remain humble and not look too far ahead as the team braces for the second T20I against Pakistan Women in Benoni on Friday.

Earlier this week, Proteas Women’s newbie Kayla Reyneke had a dream debut against Pakistan Women at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

With the ball, Reyneke returned figures of 2/13 in her allotted four overs, and struck an unbeaten 29 off 16 deliveries, which included three sixes and one four, as she hit the winning runs in the last ball of the run chase against a strong Pakistan Women’s bowling attack.

Senior player and all-rounder Annerie Dercksen was with the young Reyneke at the crease in Potchefstroom, providing guidance and ensuring that the youngster stayed in the moment to get the team over the line and secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

“I think it was quite a debut, a dream debut, to be honest,” Reyneke said. “I couldn't have asked for a better debut for my country.”

While out in the field for the first time in the senior team’s green and gold, the youngster allowed herself to go through the emotions as she took the field with her heroines, including Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, and senior players Dane van Niekerk and Sune Luus.

“I think I'll always allow myself to feel certain emotions, but I think it was quite special making my debut in South Africa, especially in Potchefstroom, because I started my SA Under-19 journey here,” said Reyneke.

“So, I honestly don't have words. At a young age, coming into an environment like this, it's a dream come true, to be honest.”

Fresh from captaining the South Africa Under-19 team, Reyneke has had to adapt since joining the team during a national camp at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria last month.

She has had to raise her intensity and match that of her new teammates.

Despite the step up she has made and the successful debut she had in Potchefstroom, the youngster wants to stay humble and work her way up.

With this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup only a few months away, the youngster does not want to put herself under pressure to make the squad by thinking far ahead and instead wants to focus on the ongoing series against Pakistan Women here at home.

“I think I don't want to look so far ahead, but I am aware of the T20 World Cup prep that the team is also busy doing,” Reyneke said.

“In terms of Under-19 international cricket, there is still a gap, but I would say, if you do get a taste of it at under-19 level, you know what to expect, but there’s just a bigger crowd and high intensity at the senior level. If you train hard, you work hard every single day, it does reward you.”

Reyneke and her Proteas Women's teammates will look to secure an unassailable 2-0 series lead with a victory against Pakistan Women in the second T20I match in Benoni on Friday.

On the other hand, the visitors will be looking to level the series and make the third and final match of the series a decider.