South Africa name women squad for World T20 – Cricket News Update
Cricket South Africa on Wednesday named its 14-women final squad for the latest instalment of ICC Women’s World T20 Championship, to be held in Sri Lanka from September 26 to October 7.
Wicketkeeper batsman Mignon du Preez has been retained as skipper for the global event. Yashin Ebrahim, the coach of the Proteas women team, said that the astute leadership of du Preez has been crucial during the pre-tournament preparations and hoped her to continue playing the vital role in the mega event.
"Our captain, Mignon du Preez, has played a vital role in our preparations and is growing quickly in this leadership role," said the coach. "Her calm demeanour, both on and off the field, has gelled the squad."
"She will be backed up by some fine individual performers such as her vice-captain, Trisha Chetty, who is one of the best wicketkeepers in the world and is also ranked among the top 10 specialist batsmen, Shandre Fritz, who is our only player to have scored a century in this format and Sunette Loubser, last year's SA Women's Cricketer of the Year," Ebrahim added further.
This will be the first time the South African will be playing in Sri Lanka, and the Proteas women would hope to improve their dismal T20 record – only three win in 21 matches.
The latest edition of the marquee tournament gets underway in Galle, Sri Lanka, on September 26, 2012. A total of eight teams, divided into two groups of four each, will compete for the coveted trophy this time around.
South Africa have been drafted in Group B, alongside hosts Sri Lanka, New Zealand and West Indies. They will play the Islanders in the tournament curtain raiser, on September 26, at Galle. The Group A comprises defending champions Australia, Pakistan, India and England.
The South African Women will play a warm-up match against their English counterparts, ahead of the mega event, at Colombo (Moors), on September 22.
South Africa squad: Mignon du Preez (capt), Trisha Chetty (vice-capt), Susan Benade, Dinesha Devnarain, Shandre Fritz, Alison Hodgkinson, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Marcia Letsoalo, Sunette Loubser, Sune Luus, Yolandi van der Westhuizen, Dane van Niekerk.
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