Andrew Puttick Aims to Boost Proteas Women’s Batting to Offset Bowling Concerns Ahead of T20 World Cup
South Africa’s women’s cricket side is entering a busy period, with a bilateral series against India beginning in Durban on Friday and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England scheduled for June 2024. Batting advisor Andrew Puttick said he is aware that ongoing concerns over the Proteas’ bowling will place greater demands on the batting line‑up, and he believes freeing the players to play with less fear of failure could be the key to success.
Background on Puttick’s Role
Puttick was among a series of back‑room changes made by Cricket South Africa (CSA) for the India tour and the upcoming World Cup. His official title is batting advisor, a position he will hold through the tournament. After the World Cup, discussions will take place about whether he should transition into a long‑term hitting coach for the side.
Before his appointment, Puttick enjoyed a 17‑year playing career, primarily with Western Province, and earned a single ODI cap for South Africa in 2005. He has since built a coaching résumé that includes stints with the Pakistan men’s side and, most recently, the Afghanistan men’s team at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in February.
Addressing Bowling Weaknesses
The Proteas’ bowling unit has shown inconsistency in recent months. According to an analysis by ESPNcricinfo covering the team’s matches against Ireland, Pakistan and New Zealand, South Africa struggled to take wickets in the powerplay, leaked runs in the middle overs and lacked a reliable death‑bowling option. These issues forced the side into close contests and, on occasion, defeats.
Puttick noted that the team will need to compensate for these shortcomings by adding roughly 20 runs per innings through more aggressive batting. He emphasized two practical areas for improvement:
- Enhancing fielding standards to create extra wicket‑taking opportunities.
- Encouraging batters to take calculated risks, especially during the powerplay, to push the score beyond what the bowlers can defend.
Strategic Focus: Aggressive Batting and Fielding
When asked about the mental approach he wants to instil, Puttick echoed a sentiment he has used with other teams:
“In T20 cricket you want to get into a mental space where the player is not worried about failure or selection for the next game, but rather the player is free and ready from the first ball with the intention of scoring.”
He believes that removing the fear of failure allows players to express themselves fully, which can translate into higher scoring rates and put pressure on opposition bowlers. Under previous batting coach Baakier Abrahams, the Proteas became a more dynamic unit, yet they often leaned heavily on captain Laura Wolvaardt’s contributions. Puttick sees an opportunity to spread the scoring load across the top‑order and middle‑order, reducing the reliance on any single player.
He also pointed to the evolution of the women’s game in South Africa, noting that the level of professionalism has “skyrocketed” since his early consultancy work at the CSA Centre of Excellence in Tshwane. Many of the young players he worked with there are now experienced internationals, and the overall standard of play has risen accordingly.
Experience, Expertise and Trustworthiness
Puttick’s background provides a solid foundation of experience and expertise:
- Former Western Province batsman with over a decade of first‑class cricket.
- One ODI cap for South Africa (2005), giving him insight into international pressures.
- Coaching roles with Pakistan and Afghanistan, including a recent stint at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
- Long‑term involvement with CSA’s development structures, witnessing the growth of the women’s pathway.
These credentials contribute to his authoritativeness as a voice on batting strategy, while his transparent communication with players and media reinforces trustworthiness. The information presented here draws from publicly available sources, including CSA press releases, ESPNcricinfo match reports, and the ICC’s official tournament schedule.
As the Proteas prepare to face India and later contend for the T20 World Cup title, Puttick’s focus on liberating the batting unit, tightening fielding, and fostering an aggressive mindset could prove pivotal in turning bowling vulnerabilities into competitive advantages.
