Dane Van Niekerk’s slow 2km time costs her World Cup place
Dane van Niekerk has been left out of the South Africa squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup after failing to “meet the minimum criteria for fitness”.
The all-rounder has captained South Africa in all formats since 2016 but did not achieve the required time for a two kilometre time trial run.
Sune Luus will instead lead the side at their home tournament, which will be held in Paarl, Gqeberha and Cape Town in February.
Van Niekerk has not featured in international cricket since September 2021 and missed last year’s ODI World Cup due to a broken ankle.
She had been left out of an ongoing tri-series also involving India and the West Indies.
“Dane was given an extensive opportunity to meet the minimum criteria for the fitness benchmark,” said selector Clinton du Preez.
“Many other players have gone down this route, everyone is quite familiar with the situation and what is required. In December, we set it out clearly with where she needs to be.
“Dane will always be missed on the cricket field. We have reminded her of that. We also appreciate the effort she tried to put into meeting the fitness level.”
Van Niekerk posted on social media that she had been left “absolutely broken” by the news.
The 29-year-old led the Oval Invicibles to victory in the inaugural edition of The Hundred in 2021 and is the only South African female cricketer to both take more than 50 wickets and score in excess of 1,500 runs in T20 internationals.
Her omission from the T20 World Cup squad comes just months after South African wicketkeeper-batter Lizelle Lee revealed that a failed weight test had been a significant factor in her decision to announce an abrupt retirement from international cricket.
South Africa reached the semi-finals of the last Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia, but were heavily beaten by England in a multi-format series last summer.
Van Niekerk’s wife, fellow all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, has been named as part of a 15-player squad.
The hosts open the tournament against Sri Lanka in Cape Town on 10 February.
The 2km time trial is believed to be a mandatory fitness test used by Cricket South Africa to assess suitability for selection.
Fast bowler Sisanda Magala previously been excluded from squads due to failing to achieve the required time, though the 32-year-old is currently part of the Proteas series against England men.
