Snehasis Mukherjee in Guwahati
Annerie Dercksen, the 24-year-old South Africa Women’s team all-rounder, is one of the most exciting prospects in world cricket. In 2024, she bagged the ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year award, becoming the first South African woman to do so. Earlier this year, in the Tri-Nation series in Sri Lanka, she showcased her ability to bat in subcontinent conditions, scoring 276 runs in four innings (average 92.00, strike rate 113.11), including two fifties and a century.
Now, ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the Proteas Women recently won a three-match ODI series 2-1 in Pakistan. Ahead of that series, Dercksen had an exclusive free-wheeling chat with RevSportz where she spoke about the team’s World Cup preparation, her comparison with Marizanne Kapp, skipper Laura Wolvaardt, her batting approach, T20 World Cup heartbreaks, and much more.
How difficult were the conditions in Pakistan?
It was quite an adjustment coming to Pakistan, but I think very good preparation for the World Cup. We might get some of the same conditions in India and Sri Lanka, weather-wise. So, very good preparation for us.
Just before the Pakistan series, you guys had a camp in Durban. What was the main focus there?
It was a very productive camp. We had some intra-squad games and started out with some batting specifics, which was really good—playing a lot of spin-specific strike rotation.
Going to the subcontinent, we might face a lot of spin. Looking at the makeup of some squads, England took four spinners, and Australia has four spinners. So, we might be facing a lot of spin over there.
Our spinners got through a bowling camp and seamers as well. We have just been working on the basics and doing them a bit better.
The focus has been on ourselves, how we can improve, and then trying to put those things into play in match situations.
Despite being a power-hitter batting down the order, how does your approach change in subcontinent conditions?
I really enjoy that role. I enjoy when I have some time to bat, and I obviously enjoy taking on the game. In the subcontinent, the ball scuffs up a bit sooner, gets softer quicker than back home, and turns more. It comes onto the bat slower, so it is trickier to hit.
A lot of credit has to go to our batting coach, Baakier Abrahams. He has been doing a lot of work with me since I joined, specifically on playing spin. When I started, I was not a good player of spin.
It has definitely been a focus area. For me, it is about assessing conditions and making sure I do what the team needs on the day.
It is a funny game, every match starts anew. Even though the Sri Lanka series gave me confidence, I know it is time to refocus and restart, making sure I put the team in the best position possible again.
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What have been your experiences and learnings from Marizanne Kapp?
Yes, I have been compared to Marizanne Kapp quite a bit. It is a big honour for me. I do not really know how it happened.
She is in a class of her own. I am honoured to be compared to her and honoured to be playing with her. She has been very kind, taking me under her wing and giving me a lot of advice. Even in the camp we just had, I was batting with her.
She has so much experience. She can predict what bowlers are going to do and is very good at assessing conditions.
I have been going through a bit of a rough patch with the ball lately, but I have worked hard on it. She told me, in a nice way, that I have got to step up my game. I appreciated that from her. She is very willing to share knowledge with youngsters. We are extremely fortunate to have her on our side, and I am very grateful.
How helpful has skipper Laura Wolvaardt been for you?
Wolfie has been one of my heroes growing up. I still remember seeing her on the cover of a magazine when I was younger. Now, I am fortunate to call her a friend.
She has been very kind. She thinks about the game way in advance and is very good strategically. It is really nice to have a captain who is also a friend. She is calm, cool, and collected. You never feel like she is panicking, which is a great quality in a leader.
Two back-to-back T20 WC final losses — you were part of both. Is this ODI World Cup redemption time?
I was in the squad for 2023 when we lost in the final. In 2024, we lost again in the final. So, I have seen the team and myself go through a lot of heartache. It is bittersweet—coming so close, but yet so far.
We were hurting for a long time. The very next day after the 2024 final, we had a meeting. Everyone was sad and devastated, but we decided right then and there that we could either sulk or focus on doing everything possible to win the next World Cup. That has been our focus since.
Now it is the ODI World Cup, a different format. The first aim will be to get into the final, and then try to win it. Our men have set a nice template with the ICC mace (WTC title). Hopefully, we can add to CSA’s trophy cabinet.
You travel to Sri Lanka for two games before returning to India. How challenging will that be?
It might be. But we were fortunate to be in Sri Lanka earlier this year, so we have had a feel for those conditions. Sri Lanka will be tough at home, and Pakistan as well. Hopefully, it would not have too big an impact. Definitely no excuses—we will do our best to recover and be ready.
Apart from Kapp, which players have inspired you?
Internationally, Alyssa Healy and Sophie Devine. I like the way they play—explosive, taking the game forward. I also enjoy hitting sixes and boundaries, so I relate to that. They seem to have fun while playing, and that is important to me.
Among South Africans, I looked up to Shabnim Ismail. Dane van Niekerk, too, the former captain and now making a comeback.
Any batter you have found tough to bowl to, and any bowler tough to face?
If you look at the stats, Smriti Mandhana has taken me apart. She is the No.1 batter in ODIs and has also won ICC Women’s Player of the Year (in ODIs). Many bowlers struggle against her—she just seems to know what I am thinking.
As for bowlers, I have faced Marizanne Kapp a lot in the nets. We have had some nice battles, but she has definitely got the better of me, especially with the new ball. It is very difficult to face her.
Also Read: Frog in a blender: Paul Adams calls India’s spin quartet the strongest in Women’s World Cup