CSA Announces Women

Border’s Angelique Taai has made a return to International cricket after she was selected for the National Women’s squad to take on the West Indies in October.

Twenty-two-year old Taai last represented South Africa at the 2005 Women’s World Cup in South Africa, and was delighted with her call-up. “I went out there (Super 4’s) to give my best, and I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“The selectors have shown a lot of faith in me, considering that I was not in the initial squad so I want to show that I deserved the call-up by producing results, ” remarked Taai. The hard-hitting middle order batswoman and medium-pace bowler was rewarded for her performances for East Coast at the Women’s Super 4’s, that were held in Kimberly over the weekend.

Highveld were the winners of the racy four-day competition as they coasted to a seven-wicket victory over defending champions, West Coast. Also included in the squad is Gauteng’s Kirsty Thompson.

Thompson was initially part of the squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup in Australia in March, but pulled out because of a lower-back stress fracture.

“The Super 4’s was a very successful competition, the girls played quality cricket and some seriously put their hands up for selection. We felt that our batting was a bit thin and has been an area of weakness so we decided to bring in Angelique and Kirsty to help bolster up the batting order,” said National Convenor of Selectors, Denise Reid.

“Angelique is an aggressive batter and she will bring in something extra to the squad, she is also very useful with the ball. Kirsty had an excellent tournament and stood out among the ladies, and she will compliment Cri-Zelda Britz and Mignon Du Preez at the top.”