The Hundred 2023: Marizanne Kapp remains optimistic about draft outcome despite Invincibles’ challenges
Marizanne Kapp Reflects on The Hundred Draft Process
The draft process for The Hundred has left Marizanne Kapp, the star player of Oval Invincibles, with mixed feelings. Despite securing victories in the tournament’s first two editions, the draft aimed to distribute talent more evenly among teams, resulting in Invincibles losing their key bowler Shabnim Ismail to Welsh Fire.
Kapp, a 33-year-old all-rounder from South Africa, believes that although it may not have worked out well for her team personally, it is ultimately beneficial for the competition as a whole. Losing Ismail left a significant void in Invincible’s bowling attack; however, it provided an opportunity for young players to step up and showcase their skills.
Ismail has been making waves with her performance at Welsh Fire since joining them through the draft. With 11 wickets in seven matches under her belt, she will be looking to make an impact when they face Northern Superchargers in the eliminator stage.
Kapp acknowledges how quickly fortunes can change within this fast-paced tournament and emphasizes the importance of starting strong. Unfortunately for Invincibles this year, they were unable to recover after a slow start and finished fifth in the group stages.
Despite losing some key players like Ismail and captain Dane van Niekerk due to injury during crucial moments of their campaign, Invincibles managed to retain core members such as Kapp herself along with fellow international stars Suzie Bates (New Zealand) and Lauren Winfield-Hill (England). Additionally, Ryana Macdonald-Gay, a promising young seamer, impressed with her breakthrough season securing eight wickets.
Reflecting on the draft process and potential team changes, Kapp admits to having reservations about leaving Invincibles as she prefers familiarity. However, she acknowledges that player movement between teams is becoming more frequent in franchise leagues and understands the importance of adapting to such changes for the growth of the sport.
The South African all-rounder also expressed her admiration for Ismail’s performance with Welsh Fire while admitting some sadness at not being able to play alongside her anymore. Nevertheless, Kapp remains supportive of her former teammate and appreciates watching Ismail excel on a different side.
In conclusion, despite the challenges faced by Oval Invincibles due to the draft process and losing key players like Shabnim Ismail and Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp recognizes its overall positive impact on women’s cricket. As The Hundred continues to grow, Kapp believes that increased competition and player movements will ultimately benefit both individual players and elevate the sport as a whole.