The South Africa women’s cricket team squad has been announced for the upcoming Pakistan tour in September. All matches of the series will take place at the National Stadium in Karachi. The series consists of three T20Is and three ODIs, the latter is a part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 cycle.
Sune Luus has stepped down as South Africa’s captain even after leading the team to their first-ever senior World Cup final. Cricket South Africa (CSA) will soon reveal a new leader before the team’s white-ball tour of Pakistan in two weeks. However, Luus is still a part of the squad, although the reasons for her decision to step down remain unclear. CSA’s statement merely states that Luus “will no longer continue her interim captaincy,” despite her previous claim of being the “appointed official captain” before the T20 World Cup in February. Luus has captained the team in 34 ODIs, 34 T20Is, and 1 Test, taking over from Dane van Niekerk during her absence.
The squad remains mostly unchanged, with 12 out of 15 players from their memorable T20 World Cup campaign retained. However, there are a few necessary changes due to Chloe Tryon’s decision to opt out, Annerie Dercksen’s injury, and Shabnim Ismail’s retirement. Tryon has informed CSA that she will not be traveling to Pakistan and has requested a “leave of absence.” Dercksen will also miss the series as she recovers from a finger injury. In her place, wicketkeeper Mieke de Ridder has been called up and may make her international debut.
Sune Luus steps down as 🇿🇦 South Africa's captain, months after their historic World Cup final.
With Vice Captain Chloe Tryon also absent, who do you think will lead the team? 🤔#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/GuF2TMx8d4
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) August 19, 2023
Tumi Sekhukhune has replaced Ismail, who retired from international cricket in May. Sekhukhune last represented South Africa in June 2022 and has played 26 international matches in the format. All-rounder Nondumiso Shangase, the captain of the Dolphins, is also back in the squad after her last appearance for South Africa in 2021.
Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits aim to continue their impressive performances from the T20 World Cup 2023. Wolvaardt, a 24-year-old opener, has played 53 T20Is and scored 1079 runs for her country. In ODIs, she has an equally impressive record with 3193 runs scored at an average of 45.61. In the absence of Ismail, Marizanne Kapp will shoulder the responsibility of pace bowling.
The T20Is are scheduled for September 1st, 3rd, and 5th, while the ODIs will occur on September 8th, 11th, and 14th.
South Africa squad: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt
(Quoted from ESPN and ICC)
A budding writer, who is trying her level best to do her bit for Women’s cricket.
