SA name women’s skipper ahead of Bangladesh tour

FE Team | Published: November 24, 2023 20:30:00

Laura Wolvaardt

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have handed over the reins of their women’s side for all three formats to the experienced opener.
Laura Wolvaardt’s appointment as the full-time South Africa Women's skipper has been finalised. Earlier, the player was interim skipper of the side for the Pakistan and New Zealand series, reports www.icc-cricket.com.
The 24-year-old will lead the Proteas in all three formats. Her first assignment as the full-time leader will be the home T20I and ODI series against Bangladesh from 3-23 December.
Wolvaardt achieved success in her stint as the temporary skipper, leading her side to back-to-back series wins over Pakistan and New Zealand, while also performing with the bat.
This success ensured that the opener, who has 3421 ODI runs at an average of 45.61 and 1313 T20I runs at an average of 32.82, got the backing to become full-time captain.
The batter will lead a squad mixed with youth and experience for the T20I series. The squad for the ODIs will be announced later.
The experienced Marizanne Kapp has been rested from the T20Is, while she'll return for the ODI leg. Among the centrally contracted players missing from the T20I squad due to various injuries are, Ayabonga Khaka (knee), Chloè Tryon (groin), and Nadine de Klerk (side strain).
Clinton du Preez, South Africa's Women Convenor of Selectors, believed that the appointment worked well for their succession plan.
“Having Laura Wolvaardt as the official captain, together with a blend of young and experienced players bodes well for our succession planning,” du Preez said. “It will also assist within the excitement we have around the squad in giving young players an opportunity and therefore we are looking forward to seeing them put up their hand and make impactful performances in this upcoming tour.
“A few of our senior players are not available for the T20-leg of the Bangladesh Tour due to injury and those returning from the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). We are excited to provide an opportunity to our extended identified group, especially on the back of some injuries.
“This allows us to have an in-depth look at players for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup taking place next year in Bangladesh.”
Hilton Moreeng, South Africa Women's head coach, was looking to continue the work done so far.
“From our perspective, it is about continuing the good work that has been done. We know we are playing against Bangladesh who just came off a very successful tour against Pakistan.
“For the T20Is, this is where we are going to look, where possible, to blend in youngsters and give an opportunity to expose them at this level to keep growing the base,” The head coach said. “Overall, we have a lot of good youngsters coming through and the squad is becoming stronger and stronger every day with a more challenging environment, so we as a team are looking forward to that.
“It’s another opportunity for some of these youngsters to show what they can do while not losing sight of what we want to achieve overall when it comes to the entire tour.”
Squad for the Bangladesh T20Is:
Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt.
Match Schedule:
1st T20I: 03 December at Willowmoore Park, Benoni (Day Match)
2nd T20I: 06 December at Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (D/N Match)
3rd T20I: 08 December at Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (D/N Match)
1st ODI: 16 December at Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East London (D/N Match)
2nd ODI: 20 December at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (D/N Match)
3rd ODI: 23 December at Willowmoore Park, Benoni (D/N Match).