Proteas women announce T20 World Cup squad

The convenor of selectors for the South African women’s cricket team, Clinton Du Preez says the team’s tour to Pakistan ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, will be crucial to get their winning momentum back.

Du Preez announced the 15-member squad for October’s T20 World Cup in the UAE captained by opening batter, Laura Wolvaardt. Wolvaardt is joined by experienced players such as all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, opening batter Tazmin Brits and seamer Ayabonga Khaka, while 18-year-old uncapped leg-spinner, Seshnie Naidu, and 20-year-old seamer, Ayanda Hlubi are also in the mix.

Since reaching the final of last year’s T20 World Cup in Cape Town, the team played 20 games of which they won 5, lost 10 while the other 5 were no-results. The squad will play three T20 games against Pakistan in Multan this month ahead of the World Cup which will be crucial for their confidence.

“It’s the only cricket we have prior to the world cup, other than two warmup matches and when we had the opportunity for Pakistan we took because it will give us preparations for subcontinent conditions on the back of India where we were and it’s important that we get that winning culture back because it wasn’t a great past few series,” says du Preez.

As far as other experienced players who missed out are concerned, Du Preez says there were no discussions with the Proteas most successful bowler, Shabnim Ismail while all-rounder Dane van Niekerk will be considered in the future if she plays domestic cricket.

“There was no conversation with Shabnim around any world cup availability or playing for the country while with Dane the message is clear, she has to play domestic cricket and break down the door and we will consider her, but she has to play provincial first,” says du Preez.

The Proteas first game of the World Cup is against the West Indies on the 4th of October in Dubai.