Wolvaardt leads 15-player Proteas squad at T20 Women's World Cup
There were no surprises as Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced a 15-player squad for next month's T20 Women's World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt, who will lead the team in a World Cup for the first time, will be supported by experienced players like Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon and Sune Luus.
The squad includes uncapped Dolphins leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu, who has earned her first national team call-up after impressive performances for the SA U19 Women and the SA Emerging sides over the past two years.
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The 18-year-old Naidu will be joined by fellow youngsters Ayanda Hlubi and Annerie Dercksen, with SA U19 Women all-rounder Miane Smit picked as a travelling reserve.
Proteas team for UAE:
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain - Titans), Anneke Bosch (Titans), Tazmin Brits (Lions), Nadine deKlerk (Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Mieke de Ridder (Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (Lions), Marizanne Kapp (Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Suné Luus (Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu* (Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (Lions), Chloé Tryon (Lions)
The Proteas women made history at last year's T20 event, becoming the first senior South African team to reach an ICC World Cup final, which they eventually lost to Australia at Newlands.
The SA women are drawn in Group B alongside hosts Bangladesh, West Indies, England and Scotland.
The World Cup, which will be staged from October 3-20 across two venues in the UAE - Dubai and Sharjah - was recently moved from Bangladesh due to ongoing unrest in the country.
"While playing in the UAE presents some