SWD's Winster, Andrews in squad for Bangladesh

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT CRICKET NEWS - Jane Winster and Micaela Andrews, of the victorious SWD women's cricket team, have been included in the SA emerging team to tour Bangladesh for a five-match one-day series.

The SWD players were unbeaten in the recent Inter-Provincial Women's tournament that took place in Oudtshoorn.

A third player, Annerie Dercksen, is a former SWD Schools player, who matriculated at Sentraal High School in Beaufort West and now plays for Free State.

The trip to the sub-continent nation has received the green light after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and CSA finalised health, safety and travel arrangements for players and support staff during the three week-long tour.

The tour is scheduled from 28 March to 16 April, and will see the young side managed by Dinesha Devnarain play against Bangladesh following a three-day quarantine period on arrival.

The squad will be led by Momentum Proteas wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta, who will be joined by other notable players such as Anneke Bosch, Nondumiso Shangase and Faye Tunnicliffe, who were in camp with the Momentum Proteas during their tour of India.

Vincent Barnes, the high performance manager, said: "It's a major achievement for both cricket boards to get this tour approved and finalised. The two teams are eager to play competitive cricket after the lengthy layoff due to the pandemic.

"The squad we have selected is a strong one, many of which have had a taste of international cricket and will be looking to impress at this level.

"However, the reality is that these players are still young and have much still to do in order to develop and be successful on the international stage with the Momentum Proteas. As CSA we see this tour as one that will add to this development path and it provides an ideal opportunity to experience vastly different cricketing conditions from what the players are used to.

"The tour gives coach Devnarain time to produce the much-needed, quality players that will see SA continue rising up the world rankings in the women's game."

All matches between the two sides will be played at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Squad: Andrie Steyn, Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Leah Jones, Faye Tunnicliffe, Jade De Figuerido, Jane Winster, Khayakazi Mathe, Kirstie Thomson, Nondumiso Precious Shangase, Micaela Andrews, Nonkululeko Baneti, Robyn Searle, Sinalo Jafta, Tebogo Macheke.

The fixtures all start at 09:30 and they will be played on 4, 6, 8, 11 and 13 April.

Micaela Andrews