Laura Wolvaardt to Lead South Africa Women's Cricket Team in India Tour

Laura Wolvaardt has been appointed captain of the South African women's cricket team for their upcoming tour of India. The tour, starting on June 16, will feature a multi-format series including three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), a one-off Test match, and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). This assignment marks the first for Dillon du Preez in his role of interim head coach.

The South African squad includes 16 players, with notable inclusions such as Nondumiso Shangase and Mieke de Ridder, who are returning to the team after missing previous tours because of injuries. Top-order batter Tazmin Brits, who underwent knee surgery in April, is also included but will need to pass a final fitness test before the tour.

The tour schedule is packed, with the ODIs set to take place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 16, 19, and 23. The one-off Test match will be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from June 28 to July 1. The T20I series will follow, with matches scheduled for July 5, 7, and 9, also in Chennai.

Interim coach Dillon du Preez emphasized the importance of the tour, stating, "Everyone's excited and looking forward to the tour to India. So far, preparation has been great. We had a big focus on options against spin and it was good to see the buy-in from the team." He highlighted the need for the team to assess conditions quickly and remain calm under pressure.

The squad for the T20I series will be confirmed during the tour. Players Lara Goodall, Chloe Tryon, and Ayanda Hlubi are recovering from injuries and will miss the initial part of the tour. However, they may be included in the T20I squad if they recover in time.

The Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will also be participating in this series. The Indian squad includes experienced players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Pooja Vastrakar, with some new faces like uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry.

This tour is vital for both teams as it serves as preparation for the Women's T20 World Cup later this year. Additionally, the ODIs are part of the ICC Women's Championship, which determines automatic qualification for the 50-over World Cup in India next year.

The South African squad for the tour includes Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, and Delmi Tucker.

The tour unfolds, both teams will be eager to perform well and gain momentum ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup. The series will be an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and for the teams to fine-tune their strategies.

Key Takeaways

• Laura Wolvaardt appointed captain of South African women's cricket team for India tour.
• 16-player squad includes Nondumiso Shangase, Mieke de Ridder, and Tazmin Brits.
• Tour features 3 ODIs, 1 Test, and 3 T20Is from June 16 to July 9 in India.
• Interim coach Dillon du Preez emphasizes importance of tour for Women's T20 World Cup prep.
• Tour serves as preparation for Women's T20 World Cup and ICC Women's Championship.