Lizelle Lee is battling the after-effects of Covid-19 and this has left her International Cricket Council Women’s World Cup hopes hanging in the balance.
The recently crowned ICC women’s cricketer of the year has recovered from Covid-19 but is struggling with after-effects that have forced her to skip the ongoing four-match ODI series against the West Indies Women.
The series against West Indies Women started on Friday at the Wanderers and it was cancelled because of rain. Lee, the Proteas top-order batter, is in camp as a non-playing member against the West Indies to have the best possible chance of making the final squad for the World Cup in New Zealand in March and April.
“I had Covid and am still recovering from the after-effects — it knocked me down pretty hard,” she said this week. “The aim is for me to make the World Cup squad but that is the thing for the medical team [to decide] and it is not going to depend on me.”
Lee also took time to speak about the challenges elite athletes are facing as a result of stringent bio-bubbles that often lead to serious mental health issues. “I actually took a break last year and missed the Big Bash tournament in Australia because I couldn’t take it anymore,” she said.
“It is not something that happens in one day, it builds up over a period of time and ultimately you just can’t take it anymore. It happened to me after the tour to the West Indies last year and I needed a break.
“I told the management I needed a break. I think mentally a lot of the girls have been struggling. It is just that some hide it better than others and that is the one thing the public doesn’t see.
“Hopefully mental awareness is put in the spotlight and people must not be ashamed to say they are struggling. Our management has been brilliant by helping us whenever they can. These bio-bubbles make it a little bit tougher because you only see the training field and the hotel room walls around you. But at the same time we are sports people and there are ways of coping with it.
“Another thing as a sport person is that you shouldn’t be afraid to take some time off and be with family and friends. If you are not happy, do something about it.”
The series between SA Women and West Indies continues tomorrow in Johannesburg and Lee says it is important for players to fine-tune their skills ahead of the World Cup.
“This is a very important tour for preparation for the World Cup. You always want to go out and win games but ultimately that is not the goal for us right now. Our goal is to get the batters and bowlers in the right shape and make sure they are ready for the World Cup.”
Looking back at her international season where she scored 632 runs in 11 matches, at an average of 90.28, and included a century and five half-centuries, Lee said it feels good to be recognised.
“It still feels so unreal, it is definitely something I was not expecting. I don’t go out for the awards, I just go out there to train and play matches to the best of my ability and try to help my team or country win. The most important thing constantly on my mind is to make a contribution to my team — as long as the team wins is what really matters.”
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