I am quite excited to watch cricket – and that is a first ever! I have only ever gone to one live cricket game and I will cast an eye while it is on TV, but I’m not a cricket pro or avid follower. However, now that I have met some of the players I feel invested in the game. I want the team to bring back that trophy, I want to see them get a big sponsor and I want to be able to talk cricket when they get back.
Yesterday I felt goosebumps at the official send-off at Cricket South Africa’s offices in Johannesburg. There was a sizable crowd lining the street, waiting for the team bus to arrive. Flags being waved, cheering and a team that didn’t expect to be greeted by supporters.
It was electric standing with the rest of the supporters – which was mostly made up of young women. Speaking to a few supporters it was evident that they were there to make sure that the team knows that they have people rooting for them; that they were proud of the team; and that even if they didn’t all understand the rules, they would be watching the team at the World Cup.
I want you to become as excited as I am about South African Women’s Cricket (and all other national women’s teams). Watch my video interviews with these professional sportswomen. Here is everything I know thusfar about the team and the tournament:
Who is in the South African Cricket Team?
| NAME | |
| Dane van Niekerk Captain, Batter BAT: Right Hand Batter BOWL: Leg Breaks 14/05/1993 Centurion (Gauteng) |
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| Chloe Tryon Bowler BAT: Left Hand Batter BOWL: Left arm, Medium fast 25/01/1994 Scottburgh (KZN) |
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| Ayabonga Khaka Bowler BAT: Right Hand Batter BOWL: Right Arm Medium Ranked 6th ODI’s 18/07/1992 Middledrift, Eastern Cape |
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| Sune Luus All Rounder BAT: Right Hand Batter BOWL: Leg Breaks 05/01/1996 Pinetown (KZN) |
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| Laura Wolvaardt Batter BAT: Left Hand Batter BOWL: Right Arm Medium 26/04/1999 Milnerton, Cape Town (WC) |
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| Shabnim Ismail All Rounder BAT: Left Hand Batter BOWL: Right Arm, Fast Medium 05/10/1988 Cape Town, WC |
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| Masabata Klaas Batter BAT: Right Hand Batter BOWL: Right Arm Medium 03/02/1991 Botshabelo, Mpumalanga |
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| Lizelle Lee Batter BAT: Right Hand Batter BOWL: Right Arm, Medium Fast Ranked 9th ODI’s 02/04/1992 Ermelo, Mpumalanga |
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Full Team
Players: Dané van Niekerk (captain, Eastern Province), Chloe Tryon (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal) Lizelle Lee (North West), Suné Luus (Northerns), Shabnim Ismail (Gauteng), Masabata Klaas (North West), Mignon du Preez (Northerns), Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province), Laura Wolvaardt (Western Province), Raisibe Ntozakhe (Gauteng), Zintle Mali (Border), Robyn Searle (Gauteng), Tumi Sekhukhune (Easterns) Saarah Smith (Western Province), Trisha Chetty (Gauteng).
The management team
- Hilton Moreeng
- Salieg Nackerdien
- Sedibu Mohlaba
- Abram Ramoadi
- Russell Clarke
- Molebatsi Theletsane
- Sipokazi Sokanyile
Which other teams will be at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20?
Group A: West Indies, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Group B: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland
South Africa is playing on the following days:
- 12 November Sri Lanka v South Africa, St Lucia (d/n) (00:00 GMT, 13 Nov)
- 14 November West Indies v South Africa, St Lucia (d/n) (00:00 GMT, 15 Nov)
- 16 November England v South Africa, St Lucia (20:00 GMT)
- 18 November South Africa v Bangladesh, St Lucia (d/n) (00:00 GMT, 19 Nov)
When (not if) they make it through, these are the games that will take them to the trophy:
- 22 November First semi-final, Antigua (20:00 GMT)
- 22 November Second semi-final, Antigua (d/n) (00:00 GMT, 23 Nov)
- 24 November Final, Antigua (d/n) (00:00 GMT, 25 Nov)
NB Fixtures and start times are subject to change. As soon as I get SA times I will update.
