South Africa on Friday announced its 15-man squad for the women’s T20 event for the 2022 Commonwealth Games to be held in Edgbaston. Cricket Ground from July 28 to August 8.
Sune Luss will lead South Africa in the absence of regular captain Dane van Niekerk, with Chloe Tryon serving as vice-captain. On the Dane’s non-selection, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said the all-rounder failed in his attempt to recover in time for the incident from an ankle fracture earlier this year.
An ankle fracture meant the Dane has since been ruled out of competitive cricket and had to be ruled out of ODI cricket. World Cup in New Zealand in March–April, where South Africa reached the semi-finals.
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South Africa’s squad boasts of an experienced group, including the Marizan Cup, widely regarded as the world’s leading all-round female cricketer and tear-jerking fast bowler Shabneem Ismail. The experienced Trisha Chetty and Sinalo Jaffa also have two wicket-keepers.
Women’s cricket is debuting in the Commonwealth Games through the T20 format. The men had previously played the 50-over format at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, where South Africa defeated Australia in the final to win the gold medal.
South Africa are in Group B with New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka. They will start their campaign against New Zealand on 30 July, followed by England on 2 August and Sri Lanka on 4 August.
Group A consists of Australia, India, Pakistan and Barbados. The top two countries in the group will advance to the semi-finals. The semi-finals will be held on 6 August and the medal matches on 7 August.
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South Africa is ranked fifth in the world in the women’s T20 format, with Australia at the top, followed by England (2nd), New Zealand (3rd) and second. India (fourth).
They will be training for the Commonwealth Games along with a three-match T20I series against England from July 21-25. South Africa are already in the United Kingdom for an all-format tour and will play the second of three ODIs against England in Bristol on Friday.
Squad: Anneke Bosch, Trisha Chetty, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jaffa, Marijane Kap, Ayabonga Khaka, Maria Masabata Klass, Sune Luce (Captain), Nonculleko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Shabnam Ismail, Chloe Der, Mignon van Der. (Du Preez) and Laura Wolvarte
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