CSA NAMES PROTEAS WOMEN SQUAD FOR PAKISTAN SERIES AND T20 WORLD CUP IN UAE

OHANNESBURG: The Proteas Women's T20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will include a 15-player roster, confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA).

For the first time, the team will be captained by Laura Wolvaardt, who will be assisted by seasoned players Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, and Chloé Tryon. Talents like Tazmin Brits, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, and Nadine de Klerk, who is anticipated to recover from her Achilles injury, will also be included in the team.  

Seshnie Naidu, an uncapped leg-spinner for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins, has won her maiden call-up to the national team following two years of outstanding play for the South African U19 Women's and SA Emerging side. The 18-year-old will be accompanied by Ayanda Hlubi and Annerie Dercksen, two other young people.

Former South Africa U19 Women all-rounder Miané Smit will be a traveling reserve for the 15-player team.

Before going to the UAE for the ninth Women's T20 World Cup, the Proteas Women will play Pakistan in a three-match T20I series in Multan from September 16–20.

Group B includes South Africa, Bangladesh, England, Scotland, and the 2016 champions, the West Indies.

On Friday, October 4, the 2023 finalists will take on the Windies. Three days later, they will play England again in the semi-final from the previous year. The Proteas' two remaining round-robin matches are against Bangladesh on October 12 and Scotland on October 9.

The final will take place in the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, October 20, following the semi-finals on October 17 and 18.

The team led by interim head coach Dillon du Preez will play two warm-up matches at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on September 29 against New Zealand and October 1 against India, providing a final chance to polish preparations.

"While playing in the UAE presents some unknowns, we have conducted thorough research and selected a balanced squad that complements the conditions, with strategic options in mind as we head into the T20 World Cup," said Clinton du Preez, the CSA Proteeas Women Convenor of Selectors.

"As a leader, Laura (Wolvaardt) has excelled, providing the team with a comprehensive approach. We are thrilled to watch her leadership and playing abilities emerge at the World Cup because she is a respected and honest leader. We view Seshnie Naidu as an X-factor for the World Cup since she has improved her bowling significantly in our training. She adds a special quality to our bowling attack, something fresh and maybe crucial.

"There has been intense competition for spots, and although some players will regrettably be left out, these choices were made with balance, form, fitness, and format strategy in mind. Each choice was meticulously evaluated to guarantee the finest team for this significant competition."

"We are extremely proud of the group of players and management who will be representing South Africa at the Women's T20 World Cup," stated Enoch Nkwe, Director of Cricket for the CSA. We are confident that this team will compete with the same spirit and tenacity on the international scene because they have demonstrated incredible skill and resilience.They should be aware that the entire country is rooting for them and will be there to support and cheer them on as they set out to win the ultimate reward. We hope they have everything they need to start this wonderful journey because we know they can make South Africa proud. 

The following players represent the Proteas Women Squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 (United Arab Emirates): Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu* (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Mieke de Ridder (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu* (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

Miané Smit*, Traveling Reserve (Tactical Free State recon)  

The team's management includes Dillon du Preez, who is the interim head coach, Sedibu Mohlaba, who is the team manager, Baakier Abrahams, who is the bat coach, Bongani Ndaba, who is the field coach, Paul Adams, who is the spin lead, Abram Ramoadi, who is the performance analyst, Zane Webster, who is the strength and conditioning coach, Neline Hoffman-Kellerman, a physiotherapist, Dr. Tshegofatso Gaetsewe, the team doctor, Happiness Mesi, who is the massage therapist and logistics specialist, Lita Gqirana,

Schedule: Proteas Women's Outbound T20I Series (16–20 September) versus Pakistan
Monday, September 16 at 16 a.m. First Twenty20 International: South Africa vs. Pakistan (Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan)
Wednesday, September 18, at 6:00 p.m. Second Twenty20 International: South Africa vs. Pakistan (Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan)
Friday, September 20 at 7:00 a.m. Third Twenty20 International: South Africa vs. Pakistan (Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan)

Fixtures for South Africa at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 (October 3–20)
Sunday, September 29 at 16 a.m. SAST: South Africa vs. New Zealand, First Warm-Up T20I (ICC Academy, Dubai)
Tuesday, October 1st at 16:30 SAST: South Africa vs. India, 2nd Warm-Up T20I (ICC Academy, Dubai)
Friday, October 4th at 12:00 SAST: Monday, October 7 at 16 o'clock is the first match between South Africa and the West Indies at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. SAST: South Africa vs. England, second match, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Wednesday, October 9 at 12:00 p.m. SAST: South Africa vs. Scotland, third game, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Saturday, October 12 at 16 a.m. SAST: South Africa vs. Bangladesh, fourth game, Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Thursday, October 17 at 16 a.m. SAST: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Semi-final 1
Friday, October 18 at 16 a.m. SAST: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, site of Semi-final 2.
Sunday, October 20 at 16 a.m. SAST: The championship game (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)