Cricket South Africa on Friday announced the 15-strong Momentum Proteas women’s squad that will face New Zealand in a seven-match, One-Day International (ODI) series from 8 to 24 October 2016.
The tour will be hosted between Kimberley and Paarl with the first three matches taking place at the Diamond Oval and the remaining four at Boland Park and Coertzenberg Oval.
The first three ODI’s will form part of the ICC Women’s Championship, the qualifier tournament for the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup in England.
South Africa are currently number five on the log with Australia’s Southern Stars having already secured their place in the big tournament. New Zealand are currently in fourth place.
This series will be new captain, Dané van Niekerk’s first attempt at the helm and she is looking forward to getting the new season off to a positive start. “I’m really excited to get the season started,” said van Niekerk.
“Right now there aren’t any nerves, but I’m sure that the closer we get to the series the more anxious I’ll get, but for me that will be a good thing. I’ve seen the way the team have prepared over the winter and I’ve watched the series against Ireland and I’m very excited to lead this group of highly motivated players.
“It’s definitely not going to be an easy task taking on New Zealand, but I’m sure that we have the team to do the job and it’s just a question of us doing the right things and sticking to the basics and I’m sure we’ll do well.
“We want to seal our place in next year’s World Cup, and this series is just another step towards that goal.”
Coach, Hilton Moreeng is mindful of the importance of this series and expressed his excitement especially with it being the first stand-alone series between the two countries.
“We relish playing against competitive sides like New Zealand, as it is a true test of our capabilities and where we are as a squad,” he commented. “As a team, we are focused on improving on our strengths to ensure that we remain competitive.
“Playing against Ireland showed us what we are capable of and it also relieved a bit of that pre-season tension that a few players had. We are an optimistic side and are looking forward to adding another tick to our to-do list for the World Cup next year.”
Neither Shabnim Ismail nor Trisha Chetty were considered for selection as they are currently subject to a disciplinary hearing in terms of CSA’s Code of Conduct. CSA will make a further announcement once the disciplinary process is complete.
Momentum Proteas ODI Team vs New Zealand:
Dané van Niekerk (capt, Eastern Province)
Laura Wolvaardt (Western Province)
Mignon du Preez (Northerns)
Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province)
Lizelle Lee (North West)
Suné Luus (Northerns)
Chloe Tryon (KwaZulu-Natal)
Dinesha Devnarain (KwaZulu-Natal)
Odine Kirsten (Northerns)
Ayabonga Khaka (Border)
Masabata Klaas (Free State)
Lara Goodall (Western Province)
Sinalo Jafta (North West)
Moseline Daniels (Boland)
Andrie Steyn* (Western Province)
*Steyn to replace Wolvaardt in the Paarl/Cape Town leg.
Management:
Hilton Moreeng (Head Coach)
Clinton du Preez (Manager)
Salieg Nackerdien (Assistant Coach)
Russell Clarke (Fitness Trainer)
Abram Ramoadi (Video Analyst)
Molebatsi Theletsane (Physiotherapist)
Proteas vs New Zealand Fixtures:
1st ODI: Sat 8 Oct: Diamond Oval (Kimberley)
2nd ODI: Tue 11 Oct: Diamond Oval (Kimberley)
3rd ODI: Thu 13 Oct: Diamond Oval (Kimberley)
4th ODI: Mon 17 Oct: Boland Park (Paarl)
5th ODI: Wed 19 Oct: Coertzenberg Oval (Stellenbosch)
6th ODI: Sat 22 Oct: Boland Park (Paarl)
7th ODI: Mon 24 Oct: Boland Park (Paarl)
Photo 1 caption: Momentum Proteas batters hard at work ahead of the 7-match ODI series against New Zealand starting in Kimberley on Saturday 8 October, 2016. The first three ODI’s will form part of the ICC Women’s Championship, the qualifier tournament for the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup in England next year, with SA fifth on the log behind New Zealand currently in fourth place. Photo: CSA / Sipokazi Sokanyile
Photo 2 caption: Quietly confident ahead of the 2017 World Cup in England, Momentum Proteas Head Coach Hilton Moreeng chats to the media ahead of the series start against the ICC’s Women’s Championship’s fourth-placed team, News Zealand. Photo: CSA / Sipokazi Sokanyile
With editing by gsport
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