The inaugural ICC Women’s u.19 Cricket World Cup is the latest flagship event that will hit local cricket fields as Potchefstroom, with co-hosts Benoni, will be the stage for the showpiece event place from 14-29 January 2023.
Excitement is already building as North West Cricket and the JB Marks Municipality take hands in hosting this tournament in around four weeks’ time.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
Dignitaries and officials gathered for a special launch event at the JB Marks Municipality council chambers on Thursday, 15 December 2022.
16 countries will take part in this massive tournament for women’s cricket on an international level. Young u.19 girls now have the chance to prove themselves to the world in an ultra-competitive tournament for the first time.
Three local NW Dragons women players, Elandri Janse van Rensburg, Nthabiseng Nini and Anica Swart will represent the SA u.19 team, which is a big achievement. They will definitely want to make their country proud and win the trophy on home soil in Potchefstroom on Sunday, 29 Janaury at the J.B. Marks Oval.
South Africa will play all their group fixtures in Benoni, but will be back in Potch for the play-off matches.
A total of 27 matches will take place in Potchefstroom at the J.B. Marks Oval and the NWU Oval respectively. The two semi-finals will also be played at the J.B. Marks Oval. The other 14 matches will take place at Willowmore Park in Benoni.
North West Cricket president, Tebogo Mothlabane, stated that it is an honour to host this prestigious event.
“We want to thanks the J.B. Marks municipality for their continued partnership and we are proud to have the backing of the executive mayor as well as the ICC. We look forward to welcoming all the nations to our town,” he added.
Women’s cricket has grown in popularity in the past five years and this event will give young girls the chance to witness the best u.19 cricketers the world has to offer. It truly is a watershed moment for women’s cricket.
The event will also be ticketless, meaning that fans will have a chance to watch some top quality cricket at no fee at all.
This also presents an opportunity for youngsters to attend the cricket and be part of the carnival atmosphere with sporttainment areas designed specifically to attract fans to the matches.
J.B. Marks Municipality executive mayor, Gaba Ka Qhele also emphasised the importance of leaving a legacy for women’s cricket.
“For us as JB Marks, we pride ourselves on our sporting infrastructure. We compete at an international level. We want the best team to win and that best team is South Africa. We are also invested in the legacy programs and to deliver a proper world class event,” he stated.
Fixture list:
Group A: Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the USA
Group B: England, Pakistan, Rwanda and Zimbabwe
Group C: Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand and the West Indies
Group D: India, Scotland, South Africa and the UAE
