Young Trio Earn Maiden ODI Call-Ups as South Africa Women Announce Squad for Sri Lanka Tri-Series

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming South Africa Women’s tri-series in Sri Lanka, featuring hosts Sri Lanka and India. The squad features fresh faces, with young stars Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu, and Miane Smit earning their maiden ODI call-ups.

Wicketkeeper Meso and spin-bowling allrounders Naidu and Smit are among the most promising young talents in the country. Both Meso and Naidu played in the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, where South Africa finished runners-up to India. They have also made their senior T20I debuts, with Naidu featuring in three matches and Meso in two. Meanwhile, Smit was a travelling reserve during last year's T20 World Cup in the UAE.

Veteran allrounder Marizanne Kapp has been rested from the series as she continues her conditioning program in preparation for upcoming tours and the ODI World Cup in India, CSA confirmed in a media release.

Nondumiso Shangase has returned to the ODI squad for the first time since South Africa's tour of India in June 2023. On the other hand, seam bowler Ayanda Hlubi, wicketkeeper Mieke de Ridder, and opener Lara Goodall have been omitted from the squad.

"It's a very good squad," head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said. "The mixture of youth and experience helps. It's an opportunity for these girls to show what they can do. Hopefully, whatever we've covered at the camp can be applied in Sri Lanka when we take the field."

Mashimbyi emphasized the importance of exposing younger players to international competition. “It's not just an opportunity for Karabo, Miane, and Seshnie anymore. It's an opportunity for us to give them exposure at this level. Going forward and for the bigger picture, it’s important that we expose them as much as possible to international cricket.”

Looking ahead, the coach said the tri-series would serve as a critical step in building towards the ODI World Cup in India this September. "This tour is an opportunity for us to check where the team is at. It's a work in progress... From a skill point of view, there's still a bit of work to do, and that's what we're busy with at the moment."

The tri-series schedule:

The tournament will take place from April 27 to May 11, with all matches hosted at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

South Africa Women’s Squad for the Tri-Series:

• Laura Wolvaardt (capt)

• Anneke Bosch

• Tazmin Brits

• Nadine de Klerk

• Annerie Dercksen

• Sinalo Jafta (wk)

• Ayabonga Khaka

• Masabata Klaas

• Sune Luus

• Karabo Meso

• Nonkululeko Mlaba

• Seshnie Naidu

• Nondumiso Shangase

• Miane Smit

• Chloe Tryon

With a promising blend of youth and experience, South Africa will be looking to fine-tune their combinations and build momentum ahead of a crucial year in women’s cricket.