Former South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk is set to make her international return after she was included in the Proteas national squad for the first time since announcing her retirement U-turn.
Dane van Niekerk returns to South Africa white-ball squads
South Africa have selected Van Niekerk for their upcoming white-ball series against Ireland, which will take place next month. It's the first time Van Niekerk has been selected for a South Africa squad since she announced her decision to reverse her international retirement in August. She has been included in both the ODI and T20I squads, having made a strong case for inclusion in domestic cricket over the last couple of months.
Van Niekerk announced her retirement in 2023 after she was left out of South Africa's squad for their home T20 World Cup. She was left-out on fitness grounds, after failing to make the required time for selection in a two kilometer run. Cricket South Africa have since relaxed their minimum fitness standards, and players can be picked on the coach's discretion. Van Niekerk hadn't played international cricket for 18 months before her retirement, after a broken ankle ruled her out of South Africa's 2022 50-over World Cup campaign. If selected in a final XI in this series, she will represent South Africa for the first time in more than four years.
After reversing her retirement, Van Niekerk was selected for a national squad training camp ahead of this year's Women's World Cup. However, she wasn't selected for the main squad which reached the final of the tournament earlier this month. Since then, Van Niekerk has also returned to domestic cricket in South Africa, and is currently the third-highest run scorer in the Pro50 competition, and has scored 111 in her last three T20 innings.
For the upcoming series against Ireland, Van Niekerk is one of a several additions to South Africa's World Cup squad, with Lara Goodall, Faye Tunnicliffe, Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx and Mianne Smit all returning, and uncapped all-rounder Leah Jones also included. Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk will all be rested for the ODI series, while Anneke Bosch has not been included in either squad.
South Africa ODI and T20I squads vs Ireland
ODI squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Leah Jones, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk.
T20I squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk.
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