Cricket South Africa (CSA) has unveiled the 15-member Proteas women’s squad for their highly anticipated one-off Test against England. The match, set to be held at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein from December 15 to 18, marks a historic milestone as South Africa hosts its first women’s Test on home soil since 2002.
The squad sees a single change from the contingent currently battling England in the ongoing ODI series, part of the ICC Women’s Championship. Tumi Sekhukhune steps in for Ayabonga Khaka, who is not part of South Africa’s red-ball plans. Additionally, the team welcomes back Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, and Chloé Tryon, who missed out on the previous Test against India earlier this year.
Clinton du Preez, the convenor of selectors, highlighted the thought process behind the changes, “We reviewed the previous Test squad and made adjustments to bring balance to the team. Lara adds versatility to the batting line-up as a left-hander, Hlubi provides variation as an impact seam bowler, and Tumi has been consistent in her past performances, offering control to the bowling attack alongside our other bowlers.”
The reshuffle also sees three players from the squad that faced India in July — Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker, and Eliz-Mari Marx — miss out this time. Meanwhile, uncapped wicketkeeper Mieke de Ridder retains her place, adding a fresh dynamic to the team.
Proteas Women’s head coach Mandla Mashimbyi expressed his excitement for the upcoming Test and its significance for the players, “Getting an opportunity to play red-ball is good for our cricket and I’m looking forward to what they can bring. The measurables are quite simple for me — it’s about how much time batters are willing to spend at the crease and how patient bowlers are willing to be. If we see those aspects materialize during the game, it will be a big plus.”
South Africa and England are set to face each other in their eighth Test encounter. England has emerged victorious in two of their past meetings, with the other five matches resulting in a draw, the latest being in June 2022 at Taunton.
England’s tour of South Africa began with a dominant performance in the T20I series, where the visitors swept all three matches. However, the Proteas bounced back with a stellar display in the first ODI, with Marizanne Kapp (3/24) and Annerie Dercksen (3/16) playing pivotal roles in dismissing England for 186. South Africa chased the target with ease, securing a six-wicket win.
England, however, turned the tables in the second ODI, courtesy of a four-wicket haul by Charlie Dean, leveling the series with a six-wicket victory. The decider on December 11 will set the tone for the eagerly awaited Test.
The multi-format series will conclude with the one-off red-ball Test in Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, scheduled from 15th to 18th of December.
South Africa’s squad for one-off Test against England:
Laura Wolvaardt (C), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon
(Quotes sourced from CSA media release)
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