Proteas women’s all-rounder and vice-captain Chloe Tryon has been sidelined from next month’s T20I series against Sri Lanka due to a recurring groin injury.
The recalled Suné Luus has been named as a replacement. Tryon will likely return for the ODI series against the same opposition in mid-February.
Four changes have been made to the squad that took part in the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 two months ago.
The talented Faye Tunnicliffe, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk and Lara Goodall have returned, replacing quartet Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Raisibe Ntozakhe and Trisha Chetty. Saarah Smith, too, has returned after recovering from a fractured finger.
‘Looking to the upcoming Sri Lanka series, we as selectors did a debrief of the World Cup and looked at certain areas that we need to strengthen, and looked at different options that will impact the game. We’ve gone and focused on the two different formats and two different skill sets, and grouped players together with the hope that we will get a good return with the impact that they can make in these games, especially on the T20 front,’ said convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez.
‘The likes of Tazmin Brits and Nadine de Klerk could really make an impact on the middle order, the two of them have had a really good provincial season thus far. Saarah Smith, coming back from injury as a batter who can add some spin value to the team, is something we’re looking forward to, and in the 50-over format, Andrie Steyn is coming in on the back of some good innings at provincial level. It’s good to see that we are retaining the core of our players within the squad and are also giving the opportunity to some younger players.
‘For now, it’s important that we focus and plan for the upcoming T20 World Cup next year and also the one in 2022, and in between that we have the 50-over World Cup. Our focus needs to be on both formats. We’re quite excited at the moment, the selectors are quite happy, the coaches are really keen to look at the strategic change and how we take on the challenge. We’re happy for the players coming in and taking the opportunities, and we’re looking forward to seeing how they face their new challenges.’
T20I squad: Dané van Niekerk (captain), Suné Luus, Lizelle Lee, Tazmin Brits, Mignon du Preez, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Saarah Smith, Tumi Sekhukhune, Zintle Mali, Faye Tunnicliffe (wicketkeeper), Masabata Klaas, Nadine de Klerk.
Photo: Gallo
