The protea fire is ready for the world cup. The South African women squad for the upcoming world cup in Australia was announced with a send-off event organized at the Imperial Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg.
The relation of the world cup and the South African cricketing street has a unique degree of intensity and expectation. The team is scheduled to face the powerful English side in their first match with Perth being the hosts. The Protea head coach Hilton Moreeng at the send-off event announced the squad amidst media presence and eyes of keen fans and experts globally.
It is interesting to note that the team comprises of 11 players who had played the 2018 World Cup while 4 players making debuts in the much-awaited tournament. The coach stressed on striking a true balance in the team with fresh, exciting talent and the experience of international encounters. The former skipper and batting star of men’s cricket Graeme Smith appreciated the team and emphasized the importance of self-believe in big games. He is presently the acting director of cricket for the South African cricketing body.
South Africa T20 World Cup squad: Dane van Niekerk, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Mignon Du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Tumi Sekhukhune, Trisha Chetty, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine De Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase.
It is interesting to note that along with the experience of a world cup, the South African frontline players are established names in T20 leagues throughout the globe. Dane van Niekerk will be leading the side on 23rd February in their first pool match. Besides England, Proteas will have to face Thailand, Pakistan and West Indies in the pre-knockout stage. The skipper has played the shortest form of the game for around a decade. She enjoys experience of 76 international matches and 1699 runs.
Nadine has proven reliable for the team with a healthy record backing her. Moreover, with the presence of Shabnim Ismail, the bowling looks lethal. She has a marvellous record of 92 wickets in 84 matches. She carries an affair of around 12 years in T20 cricket. Along with a great sea of experience, the South African think tank has been wise to add new faces and energy into the squad. The inclusion of four debutants indicates the same.
The 15-member squad has the eyes of the country. It shall be exaggerating to say that with established players and raw guns, the proteas have a wonderful chance to end their scarce run in the World Cup Tournaments. Moreover, fans and lovers of the game from all corners wish to see South African team rise out of their past failures in ICC events and seize their nerves to the trophy. With experts calling the team strong and experienced, it is no wrong to believe that South Africa enters the tournament as one of the key contenders to watch out for.
A student who enjoys studying cricket more than anything else, keen to learn the insights of the women’s game.