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Luus to lead Proteas at World Cup as Van Niekerk fails fitness test
The 15-member squad to take on Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh in group play was named on Tuesday.
Sune Luus will captain South Africa at the Women’s T20 World Cup. Picture: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images
Former captain Dane van Niekerk has failed to make the Proteas Women‘s squad for the T20 World Cup, to be played in South Africa next month.
Van Niekerk, who has struggled with injuries for more than a year, returned to top-flight cricket late last year, but she has been unable to pass Cricket South Africa’s strict fitness tests, among other things running a 2km time trial in a certain time, to be considered for selection.
Just a few weeks ago when Van Niekerk was left out of the squad for the on-going tri-series, CSA said she’d been omitted because she failed to “meet the national benchmark standards in the physical battery assessment.”
‘Ineligible for selection’
“Dané has progressed very well and it’s a step in the right direction,” said convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez on January 17.
“Unfortunately, she did not meet the minimum national standards and therefore is ineligible for selection and we will continue working on her fitness as we continue through the tri-series, to assess her eligibility for the World Cup.”
The 15-member squad will be captained by Sune Luus, who took charge of the side when Van Niekerk hurt her ankle around a year ago.
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The World Cup takes place between 10 and 26 February.
Proteas Women’s 15 player squad for World Cup
Suné Luus (capt), Chloé Tryon, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt
Currently ranked fifth in the ICC Women’s T20 team rankings, the Proteas Women will kick off their tournament in the opening game of the World Cup against Sri Lanka on Friday, 10 February at Newlands.
South Africa will then complete their Group A fixtures with ties against New Zealand (13 February), the defending champions Australia (18 February) and Bangladesh (21 February), in an effort to qualify for their second straight T20 World Cup semi-final following their impressive showing at Australia 2020.
Group B
Group B is made up of England, India, and Pakistan, as well as the West Indies and Ireland.
The top two teams in the group will advance to the semi-finals before the champions are crowned in a grand finale on Sunday, 26 February at Newlands.
The team will again be coached by Hilton Moreeng, who’ll be assisted by Dillon du Preez.
South Africa’s fixtures
Friday, 10 February – 7pm: Sri Lanka (Cape Town)
Monday, 13 February – 7pm: New Zealand (Paarl)
Saturday, 18 February – 7pm: Australia (Gqeberha)
Tuesday, 21 February – 7pm: Bangladesh (Cape Town)
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