Sune Luus: Became an off-spinner to give the team some balance

What is the greatest joy for any athlete? 

Victory, of course. But what do they aspire to do apart from the very obvious ones? Of course, to inspire an entire generation to pick up the sport. In 2019, that’s what Siya Kolisi did: inspire the next generation of black Africans to take up rugby. 

Four years later, poetically in front of Kollisi, a 27-year-old Sune Luus achieved something that no other South African captain had ever achieved – reaching a World Cup final. Such was the legacy created by Luus and co. that propelled even the Aiden Markram-led side to achieve a similar feat. 

Of course, Luus resigned shortly after, but the legacy will be a story that will reverberate in the South African folklore. 

“Yeah, it was obviously a great vibe during that World Cup [2023 T20], and I think we've inspired, you know, a lot of young kids, boys and girls, to play cricket,” Luus told Cricket.com from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

“So that's been very good. And yeah, it's actually been instrumental in the growth of women's cricket. We've professionalised the domestic structure, which is great, and hopefully, we can just grow from here.”

On a personal level, however, what followed the highs of the 2023 T20 World Cup was one of mixed bags. While she was terrific in the series against New Zealand at home, where she averaged 81 and struck at 152.83, all her other returns were quite underwhelming. 

It reached a point where the returns fell to an average of 6.66 and 7.33, while the strike rate nosedived under 100, and questions from everywhere were thrown at the all-rounder’s form. However, even before that could catch fire, Luus doused that with a stunning Player of the Series award in the series against Pakistan, averaging a staggering 94 at a strike rate of 136.23. 

“Yeah, 100% [good to be back in form]. I think you always want to score and contribute, but I think before the World Cup, just having those performances gave me that confidence to know that, ‘you know what, you can still hit the ball, and if you just have the right mindset and stuff, you know, it can work.’ 

So, just trying to stay in that mind space and head space and just working close with the coaches and taking it one game at a time,” Luus answered. 

There’s a YouTube video titled “Become a BETTER CRICKET PLAYER with Proteas Captain Suné Luus,” in which the two coaches specifically work on Luus’ technique while playing the reverse sweep. In that video, the former South African skipper was suffering with her grip while playing that shot, and since then, over the last two years, she has worked extensively on that. 

But very rarely has that come out to play in the international games, with just three runs off five balls for Luus playing the reverse sweep. However, considering the spin-friendly conditions, watch out for that shot! 

“Oh. Yeah, it's [reverse sweep] obviously something I've been working on. Yeah, maybe it will come out. Just need to find confidence with that. But it is a great option in the women's game,” Luus said about her work with reverse sweep. 

One aspect where South Africa have not held themselves back is practising in conditions very similar to the T20 World Cup in the Middle East. Over the last two years, the Laura Wolvaardt-led side have played extensive cricket in Asia, playing in India and Pakistan (twice). 

“I think we had great preparation. I think the last year leading up to this World Cup, we played all the subcontinent teams, and we just came from Pakistan. We were in India a few months ago, Sri Lanka before that, Bangladesh before that, and Pakistan before that as well. So, I don't think we could have asked for better conditions and prep. So, hopefully, it will play a role,” Luus spoke about practising in the Asian conditions. 

In 2016, during her first ICC tournament, 20-year-old Sune Luus made a lasting impression when she was named to the ICC’s team of the tournament. 

Her leg-spin was enough for someone as legendary as Mignon du Preez to stop and take notice of her, comparing a young Luus to the legendary Shane Warne. Her run-up, her action and everything that was associated with how she landed the ball was very similar to how Warne would do. 

"I didn't really get coaching for leg spin. I just watched Shane Warne bowl on TV,” Luus told ICC. 

Luus’ introduction to leg-spin was entirely incidental when Jacques Rudolph had requested her to roll her arm down to the men’s team quite early. From thereon, there was no stopping her, as she picked up 49 wickets, all by trying to emulate the legendary Warne. 

That’s when an injury forced her to halt her progress as a leg-spinner. That’s when Luus started developing more and more as a batter, showcasing her skills all around the ground, amassing runs everywhere for the team. 

However, having not bowled in over a year, the 28-year-old did something quite contrasting. Instead of lining up like how Warne would do, she lined up like an off-spinner and bowled off-spin. So, what led to the sudden change? 

“Yeah, it's [returning to bowling] obviously been a process for me to come back to bowling. I've always wanted to contribute, you know, to the team and all facets of the game. So I think coming in as an off-spinner gives some balance to the team,” the former leg-spinner turned off-spinner said.

“I feel like we don't have an off-spinner at the moment, so I think it just brings that extra couple of overs to the left-handers, you know, and sometimes to the right-handers as well, just to give the captain, you know, that seventh option and hopefully when it goes well, become a fifth or sixth option.”

So, what’s really changed for Luus over the last two years? The addition of Paul Adams, the yesteryear South African wrist spinner, has further amplified the ‘experience’ factor in the dressing room. His unique way of teaching spin has already earned him a few praises, including Luus. 

“I think it's just a mindset thing. We also got a new batting coach, whom I've been working very closely with. Paul Adams is obviously joining with his unique way of teaching spin. So, I think it's great to have those new people coming in with a new mindset and fresh ideas. And that's really been helping,” she said.

One aspect - acclimatising to the heat - could make or break South Africa’s entire T20 World Cup campaign, and Luus wants the whole team to ‘embrace’ the challenging conditions. 

“The heat [could be South Africa’s biggest challenge]. I think we just had our first training session. And although we were just in Pakistan and India, this was just double that. We can talk about the opposition and our pool, but I think if we don't wrap our heads around the heat, don't even bother to come to the field. So I think it's just getting accustomed to that, just embracing it. And you're just accepting that it's going to be hot and working through that,” Luus concluded. 

Luus might not even perform to her fullest potential at the upcoming T20 World Cup, but she will put herself on the line 100% for the team. There aren’t too many team players like Luus, and South Africa are blessed to have her in their side. 

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