Marizanne Kapp to miss T20 final
EP all-rounder given leave after partner Van Niekerk fails to make World Cup team
Proteas Women’s head coach Hilton Moreeng said on Wednesday that all-rounder Marizanne Kapp had been granted “compassionate leave” and would miss the T20 International Tri-series final against India at Buffalo Park on Thursday (3pm).
Kapp is the wife of allrounder Dané van Niekerk, who was not named in the Proteas 15-strong squad to play in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup taking place in Cape Town, Paarl and Gqeberha from next Friday.
The Proteas stalwart, 33, is the team’s leading run-scorer in the series and though she has only picked up one wicket in the three matches she has played, it is her miserly economy rate and experience that will be missed.
It is clear she taken time off to support Van Niekerk, though management has not used that exact wording.
“Marizanne is part of the World Cup squad and committed to the World Cup cause,” Moreeng said.
“She felt she needed a break, hence she was granted compassionate leave post the last game.
“We’re very happy with the form she is in and what she brings.
“We granted her leave so she can come to the World Cup and be ready to play.”
Kapp took to social media in support of Van Niekerk after her spouse was omitted by the national selectors.
She posted a picture of Van Niekerk with a caption of a broken heart.
The Proteas face an Indian side that is unbeaten in the series and Moreeng is aware of the threat the visitors pose.
“India are a team that is very strong when it comes to the spin department and there will be opportunities for our batters to test themselves again against the quality spinners because we know at the World Cup we are going to have oppositions who will use spinners from the onset in most of their matches.
“It will be again a great preparation for us to put right after the first game against them in that 27-runs difference.
“We know what they can do on the day, and we know what to expect in many parts of their game.
“We need to make sure that we finish off well in the series and build a positive mood in the changing room.
“We will select the best players available to make sure that we get the win,” he said.
The Indian spinners have taken 16 wickets in the series, with Deepti Sharma (eight) the pick of the lot.
Tickets for the matches at Buffalo Park are R40 (adults) and R20 (scholars/pensioners/students).
The Proteas World Cup squad is: Suné Luus (Titans, captain), Chloé Tryon (Dolphins, vice-captain), Anneke Bosch (North West), Tazmin Brits (Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (WP), Annerie Dercksen (Badgers), Lara Goodall (WP), Shabnim Ismail (Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (WP), Marizanne Kapp (EP), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Masabata Klaas (North West), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Delmi Tucker (WP), Laura Wolvaardt (WP). Non-travelling reserves: Micaela Andrews (Badgers), Tebogo Macheke (Titans) and Tumi Sekhunune (Lions).