CSA lauds Team of the Year selectees

CSA has congratulated Dane van Niekerk, Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp on their selection for the Women’s World Cup 2017 Team of the Tournament.

The Proteas suffered a heartbreaking loss in the semi-final, after losing to the eventual World Cup champions by two wickets. Regardless of their loss, the Proteas Women only managed three losses in the tournament, two of those coming against England.

Van Niekerk finished with 15 wickets at an average of 10.00, an economy of 3.46 and best figures of 4-0. Woolvaardt racked up 324 runs @ 64.80, a high score of 71 and a strike rate of 68.21. Kapp backed up her No 1 status, with 13 scalps @ 19.38, best figures of 4-14 and an economy of 4.46.

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 Team of the was selected by a five-person selection panel that comprised Geoff Allardice (ICC General Manager – Cricket, and Chairman Event Technical Committee), former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, former England captain Charlotte Edwards, former India player turned journalist Snehal Pradhan and former Australia all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar.

‘This is another wonderful achievement by our women players,’ commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat.

‘It shows the high growth curve we are presently enjoying and this is the first time we have this many players in the select XI.

‘It goes without saying that their selection was extremely well deserved. Dane (15) and Marizanne (13) were the two leading wicket-takers in the competition, despite playing two matches fewer than most of their challengers, while Laura scored more than 300 runs and also boasts the fifth best average – an impressive 64.80 – at the tender age of 18.

‘Only England, the eventual champions, provided more players for the select XI.

‘We congratulate them all on being selected for a world team which is a wonderful achievement. I am certain this will be further inspiration for the team going forward,’ concluded Mr. Lorgat.

The ICC Women’s World Cup Team of the Tournament was as follows:

Tamsin Beaumont (England) – 410 runs
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) – 324 runs
Mithali Raj (captain) (India) – 409 runs
Ellyse Perry (Australia) – 404 runs and nine wickets
Sarah Taylor (wicketkeeper) (England) – 396 runs, four catches and two stumpings
Harmanpreet Kaur (India) – 359 runs and five wickets
Deepti Sharma (India) – 216 runs and 12 wickets
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa) – 13 wickets
Dane van Niekerk (South Africa) – 99 runs and 15 wickets
Anya Shrubsole (England) – 12 wickets
Alex Hartley (England) – 10 wickets
Natalie Sciver (12th) (England) – 369 runs and seven wickets