Proteas suffer Van Niekerk blow, Luus named skipper for T20 World Cup

All-rounder and regular skipper Dane van Niekerk was deemed unfit as Cricket South Africa (CSA) named the Proteas women squad for next week's T20 Women's World Cup in South Africa.

CSA confirmed their 15-player squad for next month's T20 Women's World Cup, which will be held for the first time on African soil, from 10-26 February 2023. 

The Proteas women will be captained by all-rounder Sune Luus, with Van Niekerk ruled out of the global showpiece due to not meeting the minimum criteria. 

The Proteas are currently in the final of the ongoing Women's T20I tri-series between India and West Indies in East London.

According to Proteas women's national selector Clinton du Preez, Van Niekerk did not meet Cricket SA's extensive criteria, particularly the 2km run.

"The management assisted her into trying to get there but she did not meet the minimum requirement. The skill set of Dane as a cricketer will always be missed on the cricket field," Du Preez told reporters on Tuesday.

"We have reminded her of that. We also appreciate the effort she tried to put into meeting the fitness level." 

Also missing out of selection is wicketkeeper-batter Trisha Chetty.

Proteas squad for T20 Women's World Cup: 

Suné Luus (Titans - Captain), Chloé Tryon (Dolphins - Vice-Captain), Anneke Bosch (North West Dragons), Tazmin Brits (Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (Western Province), Shabnim Ismail (Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (Western Province), Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Masabata Klaas (North West Dragons), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Delmi Tucker (Western Province), Laura Wolvaardt (Western Province)

Non-traveling Reserves:

Micaéla Andrews (Garden