Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday named the 16-player squad that will take on England in a three-match T20 International (T20I) series between 21 – 25 July.
The same group of players, with the exception of the uncapped Delmi Tucker, will feature for Team South Africa at the inaugural Women’s T20 competition at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham from 29 July – 07 August.
The well-balanced playing party will see the return of the experienced batter Mignon du Preez for the first time since her involvement in this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. Du Preez makes her initial come back to the team following her retirement from the ODI and test format.
The squad will continue to be led by allrounder, Suné Luus in the absence of the team captain, Dané van Niekerk, who was unsuccessful in her bid to recover in time for the England T20Is and the Birmingham Games from an ankle fracture sustained earlier this year.
Ahead of the Commonwealth venture, where the side looks to repeat the gold medal feat achieved by the Men in Malaysia 1998, the Proteas Women will have the ideal preparation for the T20 tournament when they take on England in similar conditions they will encounter in Birmingham.
CSA Momentum Proteas Convenor of Selectors, Clinton du Preez said:
“With key players not available, we remain very excited to compete in the Commonwealth Games. Having Mignon du Preez adds experience to the squad and allows for some strategic changes in the batting line-up.
“It once again allows the opportunity for players to showcase their skills, as post the Games we prepare for the home T20 World Cup, and the team has the capabilities to finish within the medals,” the Convenor continued.
“We could not have asked for a better opportunity to prepare for these Games, with the tour of Ireland and also against England. It has allowed for much rotation and opportunities to players.
“We would like to take that momentum into the Games and have the players in a positive space as we compete,” he added.
CSA Director of Cricket (DoC), Enoch Nkwe, commented:
“Huge congratulations are in order for the 15 players selected to be a part of history in growing women’s cricket in South Africa and around the world as they embark on the first ever Women’s T20 Cricket tournament at next month’s Commonwealth Games,” said the DoC.
“The continuity in the group of players chosen not only displays the faith shown in the individual cricketers but is also indicative of the outstanding work invested by the coaching staff along with the selection panel in their planning for this momentous event on the cricketing calendar.
“I have no doubt that the Proteas team, under the tutelage of coach Hilton Moreeng and captain, Suné Luus, will leave it all out on the field in an effort to make the entire South African population beam with pride while following their progression at the Games,” he added.
SQUAD:
Suné Luus (Captain) (Titans Ladies), Chloé Tryon (Vice-Captain) (Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal), Anneke Bosch (Senwes Dragons), Trisha Chetty (Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal), Nadine de Klerk (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Mignon du Preez (Titans Ladies), Lara Goodall (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Shabnim Ismail (Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal), Sinalo Jafta (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province), Ayabonga Khaka (Imperial Lions), Masabata Klaas (Senwes Dragons), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal), Tumi Sekhukhune (Imperial Lions), Delmi Tucker (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Laura Wolvaardt (Six Gun Grill Western Province)