Proteas' ICC Emerging star Dercksen feels she's better prepared for mighty Mandhana now

Annerie Dercksen will always remember her Proteas Women’s ODI debut at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last year. 

But not for the reasons that you may think. While it was the fulfilment of a life-long dream and she had the wicket of Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur to cherish, Dercksen’s primary recollection is standing in the field and admiring the brilliance of Smriti Mandhana.

The graceful Indian opener was in the form of her life and her full array of strokes was on display during her 117. 

It certainly was an eye-opener for Dercksen, who hails from the small town of Beaufort West in the Great Karoo region, that she had now officially joined the big show. 

“I've got to say, in my debut game, I think she scored close to 150 (sic),” Dercksen exclusively told the Indy Sport Show from Colombo. 

“I've got very great memories of her. She's obviously a class player.”

The ICC Emerging Women's Player of the Year did not play in the remainder of the ODI series, but she watched closely from the dugout with Mandhana following it up with 136 and another 90 in the two remaining matches.

And when Dercksen finally got another opportunity - her Test debut in Chennai - there was Mandhana standing tall again with a superb 149 as part of a mammoth 292-run opening partnership with Shafali Varma.

Dercksen has not crossed paths with Mandhana since, but they will meet again next Wednesday when the Proteas face India in their first game of the ODI Tri-Series also involving hosts Sri Lanka.

“Hopefully she was just in really great form back then,” Dercksen joked. “But yeah … I'd like to think that I've gained a bit of experience over the last couple of years now.

“We've definitely identified a couple of areas. As a bowling group sat down and worked on it. I think we have maybe a couple of plans up our sleeves.

“We obviously know that Sri Lanka is the subcontinent, so quite a bit different (conditions) than we have at home. 

“We sort of worked on the different variations, the new ball compared to which the old one might skid on and the older one might grip a bit. 

“But I'm not going to say exactly what we're going to do now. Maybe after the series, if it all went well.”

Dercksen’s childhood hero and mentor Marizanne Kapp is not part of the touring party in Sri Lanka as she prepares for the ICC Women’s World Cup in India later this year. 

This could potentially create opportunities for the hard-hitting batter to maximise her potential by moving up the order, particularly after she clubbed a career-best 44 not out off just 23 balls batting at No 4 against Pakistan in the series-decider.

“Yeah, Marizanne’s not here at the moment, but I think she's working on her fitness and stuff,” she said.

“When I came into the team I only knew Marizanne from like the TV and seeing her. Obviously she's a very great professional athlete and very good at what she does, so I've always looked up to her in that kind of a way. 

“But yeah, as soon as I entered the team environment, she was really kind and really embracing. 

“And I've got to say, she's given me a lot of advice. Yeah, I owe a lot to her. I don't think I would have been here where I am today if she didn't sort of take me under her wing and gave me advice and stuff.

“Regarding where I bat … I'm willing to do whatever the team needs of me  at the moment. I'm not quite sure yet where everyone will slot in and what exactly will happen. 

“But if I do get opportunities up the order, I'd really like to grab it. And if the team needs me lower down, I'm also really willing to do that.”