Three Proteas crack nod in Women’s World Cup’s best team
South Africa's excellent campaign in England sees Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt rewarded for their efforts.
Proteas women’s skipper Dane van Niekerk is expected to be back leading the national team when Pakistan arrive in South Africa in the new year. Picture: Getty Images
They’re considered two of women’s cricket’s most potent all-rounders but currently Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp rank as frontline bowlers.
That, at least, is the impression created by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after both Proteas stars were included in the Women’s World Cup team-of-the-tournament.
Also read: Fighting Proteas almost pull off a stunning World Cup upset
Van Niekerk, South Africa’s inspirational skipper, was hardly a surprising choice.
The 24-year-old leg-spinner finished as the leading wicket-taker in thThe tournament, taking 15 wickets at an incredible average of just 10.
One of those spells – a bamboozling 4/0 against the West Indies – was one of the highlights of the showpiece.
Her batting didn’t quite match up to those standards though she did score 57 in a vital win over eventual finalists India.
Kapp went into the tournament as the No 1 ranked all-rounder in the world but only ended up making 43 runs in five innings.
She made up for that with 13 wickets at an average of 19.38.
The 27-year-old really does remain one of the most deadly fast bowlers.
The Proteas also have the honour of supplying the youngest player in the team.
Laura Wolvaardt, the 19-year-old opener, has had tongues wagging for her classy stroke play.
The Cape Town native, who’s considering a career in medicine, stacked up 324 runs at an average of 64.80.
That haul included four half-centuries.
She’s definitely on her way to stardom … if cricket remains her main focus.
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