Dane van Niekerk, a former captain of South Africa, has signed with Western Province, a provincial team, to play professional cricket again this summer.
She stated to that she had “no timeline,” despite her long-term goals of returning to the international game of cricket. All she wants to do right now is “play again and have fun.”
Thus, it is unlikely that Dane van Niekerk will be considered for the Laura Wolvaardt-led South Africa team at the forthcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
Marizanne Kapp, van Niekerk’s wife, will be crucial to that competition even if it is unlikely that van Niekerk would go because she plays domestic games at home.
She declared that, “if I am able,” she will play “all the fixtures,” with the intention of returning to the running for more prestigious titles. She remarked, “Playing again is my top priority.” “Aside from that, I have no other aspirations. What is, will be, is. Playing at the greatest level and representing my nation are something I miss. Beyond that, it is unrelated to anything else.”
Since August of last year, when she had to leave The Hundred early due to a fractured right thumb, Van Niekerk has not played any cricket. She led Sunrisers to a fourth-place finish in the Rachel Heyhoe-Flint Trophy prior to that. She also played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team in the inaugural WPL. She left the South African cricket team in March of last year, having not played for the country since 2021. She had not met Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) requirements, which prevented her from being included in the country’s T20 World Cup 2023 roster.
After recovering from a fractured ankle, van Niekerk was required by South Africa’s women’s national team to complete a two-kilometer time trial in 9:30. She fell short by eighteen seconds. Since then, the CSA has dropped the strict application of the time trial and skinfolds tests and given the coach more discretion over national selection.
Since Dillon du Preez filled in as temporary coach for the India tour, South Africa does not currently have a verified permanent coach.
After serving in the position for over a decade, Hilton Moreeng was replaced by Du Preez. Prior to the October T20 World Cup, CSA is expected to provide a succession plan for the women’s coaching position.
However, since there are no games scheduled between now and October, and just two months remain, it is probable that du Preez will stay in the position, with a permanent appointment to be announced ahead of the home season. During an all-format tour that includes the first home Test in 22 years, South Africa will welcome England this summer.
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