Dane van Niekerk has made a stunning return to One Day International (ODI) cricket, reminding everyone why she has long been regarded as one of South Africa’s finest all-rounders.
Playing her first ODI since September 2021 (She was part of the XI in the first ODI against Ireland on December 13 as well but did not get a chance to bat.), the 32-year-old walked in at No. 4 in the second ODI against Ireland and produced a masterclass in controlled aggression.
Her 88 off just 47 balls changed the complexion of the innings and underlined the experience and quality she still brings to the Proteas setup. For a player who has been away from the format for several years, the fluency and authority of her knock were remarkable. Notably, leading up to this comeback series, she registered a hat-trick of fifty-plus scores in the domestic One Dayers.
Coming in with South Africa needing a strong finish, van Niekerk wasted no time in assessing conditions before shifting gears. She mixed busy running between the wickets with a fearless range of strokeplay, keeping the scoreboard moving from the moment she took guard. The right hander’s ball-striking was crisp, and her ability to pick gaps made it difficult for Ireland’s bowlers to settle into any sort of rhythm.
Her innings was a perfect blend of calculation and power. Scoring 88 runs from 47 deliveries at a strike rate of 187, van Niekerk showed the kind of intent usually associated with the shortest format. She struck 13 fours and three sixes, repeatedly targeting the straight and extra cover regions as well as punishing anything short. The boundaries were not just about brute force; many came from late adjustment and clever placement.
Beyond the numbers on the day, this knock carries significant weight when set against her overall career. A 32-year-old right hand batter and leg break bowler, van Niekerk is one of the most accomplished all-rounders in women’s ODI history. She retired from international cricket in March 2023 after being left out of the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup squad, failing to meet required fitness standards, but reversed this decision in August 2025.
Across 108 ODIs, she has scored 2,175 runs and taken 138 wickets, underlining her dual impact with bat and ball. Those figures speak to longevity, consistency, and the ability to influence games in multiple phases. Her return, capped by such blistering innings, is not just a personal milestone but a major boost for South Africa ahead of future global tournaments.
For the Proteas, this performance will feel like welcoming back a match winner at the peak of her tactical powers. Van Niekerk’s presence adds depth to the middle order, stability to leadership discussions, and another attacking spin option.
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