Proteas Women’s side off the ICC World Cup

THE Proteas Women’s T20 cricket side is off to the ICC Women’s World T20 in the West Indies.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World T20 will take place in the West Indies from November 9 to 24.

“We have a few international players in our side that can make a huge difference during the matches, but we also have a few youngsters who will prove their worth in the team,” said Dané van Niekerk, Proteas captain.

“It is T20 cricket and anything can happen. It just takes one over to swing the game, but we are well prepared and hopeful to bring back the trophy.”

The sixth edition of the 10-team tournament will take place across three venues, Antigua, Saint Lucia and Guyana.

The selectors have kept most of the squad that recently completed a tour of the Windies. Stalwarts Shabnim Ismail and Trisha Chetty will be back to complete the squad. Fast bowler Ayabonga Khaka was not considered for selection due to injury.

Tumi Sekhukhune and Robyn Searle and Sarah Smith will make their World Cup debut. The Decision Review System (DRS) will be used in the ICC World T20 for the first time.

South Africa will play in Group A in St Lucia against defending champions, West Indies, England, Sri Lanka and World Cup qualifier winners, Bangladesh.

Group B comprises Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Ireland.

“Good luck to our Proteas ladies as they head to the West Indies with high expectations for the ICC Women’s World T20,” said CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe.

“They reached the semi-final of this tournament in Bangladesh in 2014 and came agonisingly close to the first appearance in a final in last year’s ICC Women’s World Cup in England.

“The time has now arrived for them to take that next step forward and get into the championship match.

“They can take a lot of justifiable confidence out of their recently completed tour of the West Indies where they drew both the ODI and T20 Series against their hosts who are the defending champions for the ICC World T20.

“They also had to make do without a number of key players.

“From CSA’s perspective, we have left no stone unturned in our support for Dane and her team to put them on the same level of preparation as our Proteas’ men’s team,” said Moroe.

Proteas ICC Women’s World T20 Squad: Dané van Niekerk (captain, Eastern Province), Chloe Tryon (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal) Lizelle Lee (North West), Suné Luus (Northerns), Shabnim Ismail (Gauteng), Masabata Klaas (North West), Mignon du Preez (Northerns), Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province), Laura Wolvaardt (Western Province), Zintle Mali (Border), Robyn Searle (Gauteng), Tumi Sekhukhune (Easterns) Saarah Smith (Western Province) and Trisha Chetty (Gauteng).

Management: Hilton Moreeng (head coach), Salieg Nackerdien (assistant coach), Sedibu Mohlaba (manager), Abram Ramoadi (performance analyst), Russell Clarke (strength and conditioning coach), Molebatsi Theletsane (physiotherapist) and Sipokazi Sokanyile (media liaison).

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