Laura Wolvaardt is excited about “some cricket against our neighbours”, Zimbabwe, calling South Africa’s upcoming five-match T20I series in Bulawayo “very special”.
“I think for as long as I’ve played, we haven’t played against another African team,” Wolvaardt was quoted as saying on the ICC website. “It’s pretty cool that we get to play some cricket against our neighbours. So I’m very excited to head over there.”
South Africa are travelling with a different-looking, young squad to Zimbabwe. Apart from Wolvaardt, the captain, Annerie Dercksen, Karabo Meso and Kayla Reyneke are the only players in the squad who featured in the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Batters Anneke Bosch, Miane Smit and Faye Tunnicliffe, and bowlers and allrounders Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx and Nondumiso Shangase are the other familiar names in the touring party.
There are four uncapped players in the squad: fast-bowling allrounder Caitlin Wyngaard, batting allrounder Luyanda Nzuza, medium pacer Nthabiseng Nini, and wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander, who was a late call-up after Sinalo Jafta had to give the tour a miss because of a hamstring injury.
“It’s going to be awesome to see those youngsters just express themselves and play free cricket against a new opposition,” Wolvaardt said. “Lots of talent here in the net. I’m keen to see how they all go in the games.”
Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi saw the Zimbabwe series as an opportunity to assess the next generation of players.
“The purpose is quite simple. It’s an opportunity for players to test their skills,” he said. “An opportunity to give opportunities to the young players, and also for us to see where we are going forward in terms of the future of South African cricket.
“When you’ve got players that are putting their hands up and actually pushing the other players that we’ve always had in our squad, it’s good for cricket as a whole in South Africa. So, for me, the positive thing will be seeing these youngsters actually do well. And also seeing Laura lead the team.”
South Africa squad for women’s T20Is in Zimbabwe
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Jae-Leigh Filander (wk), Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso (wk), Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini, Luyanda Nzuza, Kayla Reyneke, Nondumiso Shangase, Miané Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Caitlin Wyngaard