Moreeng proud of Ayabonga Khaka's form: 'She is the unsung hero in Proteas bowling attack'

Proteas women's coach Hilton Moreeng hailed bowler Ayabonga Khaka after her Player of the Series performance in South Africa's ODI series win against West Indies.

Khaka finished as the joint highest wicket-taker in the four-match series, taking 10 wickets at an average of 13.30.

The 29-year-old recorded her first ODI five-wicket haul in the second ODI as she captured 5/26 in a Super Over loss at the Wanderers.

After clawing their way back into the series, Khaka took two wickets apiece as the Proteas clinched their fifth consecutive ODI series win.

Khaka is one of the three South Africans in the Top 10 ICC bowling rankings, at eighth, alongside all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and fast bowler Shabnim Ismail.

Moreeng says Khaka is one of the unsung heroes in South Africa's bowling attack and is delighted to see her perform consistently and 

"She has always been one of the unsung heroes," Moreeng told reporters on Sunday.

"She's a true professional and she's been working hard behind the scenes to make sure she is still improving as a cricketer," he added.

"Even the youngsters are pushing and asking us the right questions like Nadine (de Klerk) and Tumi (Sekhukhune) and Klaas that played the first two games.

"Where she (Khaka) is at the moment, she thoroughly deserves the Player of the Series award and we're very proud of her. She's come through leaps and bounds and like I said, [she is] one of the unsung heroes of our bowling attack."

Khaka is part of the Proteas' 15-player squad for the World Cup as the women play two warm-up matches in New Zealand against India (26 February) and England (1 March)

South Africa get their World Cup campaign under way against Bangladesh on Saturday, 5 March at the University Oval in Dunedin.

Suné Luus