International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 (T20) World Cup action continues in South Africa as after an intriguing inaugural edition of the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, it now time is time for the Senior Women’s team to get into action and hosts, Cricket South Africa (CSA) for the World Cup has announced their squad of 15+3.
The South African team are currently, in the lead-up to the World Cup, involved in a Tri-Series featuring runners-up from the 2020 T20 World Cup edition, India and the West Indies. The World Cup squad of 15+3 sees CSA backing all its players from the Tri-Series, and an only additional name has been added following a confirmation over regular skipper, Dané van Niekerk’s absence.
South Africa’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2023
Suné Luus (C), Chloe Tryon (VC), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Laura Wolvaardt, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Delmi Tucker, Annerie Dercksen.
Reserves: Micaéla Andrews, Tebogo Macheke, Tumi Sekhukhune
The only addition to the World Cup squad is Micaéla Andrews to the remaining squad of 17 from the side that was named mid-this month prior to the ongoing, home Tri-Series featuring both India and the West Indies.
🇿🇦 South Africa announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/3vxhcy6ydn
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 31, 2023
The double round-robin format Tri-Series saw South Africa lose their opener to India and claim wins in both games against West indies. While South Africa’s 2nd face-off against India was abandoned due to rain, the two are set to now meet on the 2nd of February, for the Final.
Regular skipper, Dané van Niekerk’s absence comes on the back of her failing to meet CSA’s fitness standards. Adding to the same is that she has played little cricket since an ankle injury saw her miss the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, the multi-format series against England, and the Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom.
The 29-year-old hasn’t represented her country since September 2021 having last featured in the series against West Indies and was also dropped from the side’s ongoing Tri-Series. However, head coach Hilton Moreeng had believed at the time that van Niekerk would be ready for the World Cup but that isn’t the case now.
South Africa for the home World Cup is placed in Group A and has their opener scheduled for the 10th of February against Sri Lanka in Cape Town and will then compete with Australia, New Zealand, and Bangladesh to claim a spot in the knockouts.
