Three youth internationals Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu and Miané Smit have been included in the South African Women’s squad for the upcoming Tri-Series in Sri Lanka that features the hosts and India.
The three youngsters have earned their first-ever ODI call-ups. SA U19 stars Karabo Meso and Seshnie Naidu, who featured in this year’s ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, will look to add to their respective T20 International caps. They are joined by uncapped all-rounder Miané Smit, who was a travelling reserve at last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins’ Nondumiso Shangase also makes her return to the One-Day squad for the first time since the Proteas Women’s tour to India in June last year.
These four players replace seamer Ayanda Hlubi, wicketkeeper Mieke de Ridder and opening batter Lara Goodall, while experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp continues her conditioning block in preparation for the subsequent tours and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India.
Proteas coach Mandla Mashimbyi – “It’s a very good squad”
It’s a very good squad. The mixture of youth and experience helps. It’s an opportunity for these girls to show what they can do. Hopefully, whatever we’ve covered at the camp can be applied in Sri Lanka when we take the field.
For me, it’s not an opportunity for Karabo, Miané and Seshnie anymore. It’s an opportunity for us to give them exposure at this level. Going forward and for the bigger picture, it’s important that we expose them as much as possible to international cricket. This tour is an opportunity for us to check where the team is at. It’s a work in progress. We want to get to a point where when we get to India in September, we are where we need to be as a team. But from a skill point of view, there’s still a bit of work to do, and that’s what we’re busy with at the moment.
Convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez -“This ODI series forms a critical part of our build-up to the World Cup”
Convenor of Selectors, Clinton du Preez said:
We’ve taken a measured and strategic approach in selecting this ODI squad, bearing in mind the conditions we’ll be playing in and the nature of our opposition. The decision to go with four seamers and five to six spin options is reflective of our assessment of the surfaces, where we believe a balanced attack will be key to success.
This ODI series forms a critical part of our build-up to the World Cup. It’s about building depth, enhancing role clarity, and ensuring that every player is clear on their contribution towards our collective goals.
Quality players in the squad
While star all-rounder Kapp is not included, the squad still boasts top players. The team will be captained by Laura Wolvaardt, the number one ranked ODI batter in the world and includes Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, ICC Emerging player of the year Annerie Dercksen, Sune Luus, Ayabonga Khaka and Chloe Tryon.
The tournament will be played from 27 April - 11 May, with all matches being held at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
Proteas Women Squad – ODI Tri-Series
- Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans)
- Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans)
- Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions)
- Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
- Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers)
- Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions)
- Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions)
- Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans)
- Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans)
- Karabo Meso (DP World Lions)
- Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Miané Smit (Knights)
- Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
Fixtures – ODI Tri-Series
✔️ Sunday, 27 April – 1st ODI: Sri Lanka vs India (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
✔️ Tuesday, 29 April – 2nd ODI: India vs South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
✔️ Friday, 02 May – 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka vs South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
✔️ Sunday, 04 May – 4th ODI: Sri Lanka vs India (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
✔️ Wednesday, 07 May – 5th ODI: South Africa vs India (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
✔️ Friday, 09 May – 6th ODI: Sri Lanka vs South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
✔️ Sunday, 11 May – Final: 1st Place vs 2nd Place (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
