Cricket SA announces Proteas Women's squad against England
The match will be the first women’s Test played in South Africa in 22 years.
A perfect win after a perfect performance from the Proteas Women to level matters against Australia in Sydney on 7 February 2024. Picture: @ProteasWomenCSA on X
JOHANNESBURG - Cricket South Africa has announced the Proteas Women’s 15-player squad for their historic one-off Test against England in Bloemfontein from 15 - 18 December.
The match will be the first women’s Test played in South Africa in 22 years.
Top order batter Lara Goodall, seam bowler Ayanda Hlubi, and all-rounder Chloé Tryon have been called up after missing the team’s last Test against India in June, while another seamer, Tumi Sekhukhune has been selected in place of Ayabonga Khaka, who is not part of the longer-format setup. Wicket-keeper Mieke de Ridder is the only uncapped player in the group.
New Proteas Women head coach, Mandla Mashimbyi, who was appointed at the beginning of this month, has spoken of his wish for female players to play more Test and first-class matches. He is eager to see what his players are capable of against the English side, whose last Test win was in 2014.
“I'm excited. It will go a long way for the ladies in terms of them understanding their game and what's needed in the longer version of the game. Getting an opportunity to play red-ball is good for our cricket and I'm looking forward to what they can bring,” Mashimbyi said
The Proteas Women versus England fixture will be the 8th four-day encounter between the two sides – marking South Africa’s first home Test since March 2002. England have won 2 of the previous 7 matches, while the remaining 5, including the most recent clash in June 2022 in Taunton, ended in draws.
Mashimbyi is well aware that this match will present a big challenge for his players that rarely play any sort of Red of red-ball cricket
“The measurables are quite simple for me, it's how much time you are willing to spend in the crease as a batter and how patient you are willing to be as a bowler. So it's all those things that we're going to speak about and if we can see it coming to fruition during the game, that will give us a big plus,” said Mashimbyi
The Proteas Women are still involved in the ODI series with England which is currently tied at 1-1 ahead of the series decider on Wednesday in Potchefstroom.
PROTEAS WOMEN TEST SQUAD TO PLAY ENGLAND
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon