Designed to Laura Wolvaardt is South Africa’s captain for all formats of cricket
The 15-player T20I squad for the South Africa Women’s T20I series against Bangladesh that is scheduled to take place next month was also released by CSA, along with the official appointment of Laura Wolvaardt as the country’s women’s all-formats captain.
Following a successful term as temporary captain during the recent home series against Pakistan and New Zealand, which South Africa won 2-1 in both cases, Wolvaardt, 24, assumes full-time leadership. She has represented her country in 86 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 59 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), amassing 3421 runs in 50-over cricket with 30 fifties and four hundreds, and 1313 runs at an average of 32.82 with nine half-centuries in the game’s shorter version. During South Africa’s red-ball cricket comeback last year, Wolvaardt made her Test debut against England.
Nonetheless, there won’t be many noteworthy absences from Wolvaardt’s first series as a full-time captain. Players under central contract who are unavailable for the T20I series in Benoni starting on December 3rd include all-rounders Chloe Tyron (groin) and Nadine de Klerk (side strain), as well as fast bowler Ayabonga Khaka (knee ailment).
However, seasoned all-rounder Marizanne Kapp will be back for the vital ODI series that is a part of the Women’s ODI Championship 2022–25 after being rested for the T20Is. In due order, the team for the ODI series—which starts in East London on December 16—will be revealed.
The Convenor of Selectors, Clinton du Preez, stated, “Having Laura Wolvaardt as the official captain, along with a blend of young and experienced players bodes well for our succession planning.” Giving young players a chance will also contribute to the buzz surrounding the squad, so we’re excited to watch them step up and provide memorable performances on this forthcoming tour.
“Given the recent injuries, we are thrilled to offer our extended identified group an opportunity. This enables us to take a closer look at the players for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in Bangladesh the following year.
Hilton Moreeng, the head coach, stated: “From our standpoint, it is about carrying on the excellent work that has been done. We are aware that Bangladesh, our opponent, recently completed an extremely fruitful trip of Pakistan.
“For the T20Is, we will try, if we can, to include young players and provide them with an opportunity to be exposed at this level in order to continue building the base. As a team, we are excited about the many talented young players that are emerging from our group, which is growing stronger every day in a more demanding atmosphere.
“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,” he said.
South Africa Women T20I Squad: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, *Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, *Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt (C)
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