Unfit Dane misses out on World Cup squad
Heartbreak for star player who failed fitness test
Momentum Proteas convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez is adamant the omission of star player Dane van Niekerk from the Women’s T20 World Cup squad does sabotage SA from winning the tournament.
Joined by Cricket SA’s convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang during the announcement of the Proteas squad for the World Cup, Du Preez broke the news of Van Niekerk not making the cut after there was optimism of her inclusion.
Van Niekerk, who is arguably the best player the country has, failed to meet the fitness requirements to be eligible for selection. The 29year-old was said to have worked hard on her fitness after recovering from an ankle injury and even lost weight to give herself a chance.
Despite her efforts, she fell short in CSA’s 2km fitness trial, which requires women cricketers to complete the run in 9 minutes 30 seconds, while the men must do it in 8 minutes 30 seconds. Du Preez said the fitness standard they set as CSA was the big factor in Van Niekerk’s omission.
“She recently did another fitness test and unfortunately did not meet the minimum criteria and therefore she’s missed out. It’s purely based on the fitness criteria; unfortunately, she did not meet the 2km minimum requirement.”
Du Preez admitted the skills that the all-rounder brings to the team will be missed. “Dane has been an integral part of the team,” he said.
“The skill sets of Dane as a cricketer will always be missed on the cricket field.
“We’ve had this discussion with her, we extensively reminded her of that and appreciate the hard work she’s put in to try to get to the fitness levels,” he said.
Asked if the exclusion of Van Niekerk does not sabotage the team’s bid to win the World Cup and kill the morale, Du Preez said everyone understands why Van Niekerk is not in the team.
“We considered everything, we’ve always had the discussions around what happens when Dane doesn’t make it, how does it impact. From a player’s point of view, we have created the succession within the leadership of the team.
“Around the moral of the team, it is fine. We were out together as a team, the team is gelling nicely. I do believe the team is together, they have accepted the decision we have made,” said Du Preez.
With Van Niekerk not in the team, Suné Luus will be the captain, with Chloé Tryon her deputy. The Proteas will kickstart their campaign on February 10 against Sri Lanka at Newlands, Cape Town.
Proteas squad for T20 World Cup:
Suné Luus, Chloé Tryon, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Delmi Tucker, Laura
Wolvaardt.