South Africa has confirmed that former captain Dane van Niekerk will definitely not be part of their squad for the upcoming 50-over World Cup in October, despite her inclusion in a recent training camp. This decision comes as a surprise to many, given her extensive experience and past contributions to the team.

Background

Van Niekerk, 32, retired from international duty in March 2023 after being left out of the T20 World Cup squad earlier that year due to failing to meet the minimum fitness criteria. Despite her retirement, she has continued to play domestic cricket, although her last match was in March.

Training Camp Participation

On Monday, South Africa announced a 20-player group for a home training camp, which included Van Niekerk. She had reversed her retirement, expressing her desire to represent her country again. Van Niekerk stated, "Time away has reminded me how much I have missed representing my country."

Coach's Perspective

However, South Africa coach Mandla Mashimbyi clarified that Van Niekerk's inclusion in the camp was more about understanding the team's expectations rather than preparing for the World Cup. Mashimbyi said, "She's just part of the bigger or broader base of players that we're trying to bring into our environment. She's definitely not part of this World Cup. She's not going."

Future Prospects

Mashimbyi added that the camp would help Van Niekerk gauge her current physical and skill levels, providing a baseline for future improvements. "Hopefully she can carry on from here onwards and really understand how she wants to go about things. And then one day when she gets a call-up, you know, she can come in and have an impact immediately," he said.

Van Niekerk's Response

Van Niekerk, who last played an international match in September 2021, acknowledged the challenges ahead. "I know I'm probably not where everyone is at the moment. I understand where I need to be for the team," she said. She also emphasized her commitment to hard work, stating, "It's going to be a lot of hard work, but I definitely wouldn't have gone through all of this if I'm not willing to put that in."

Past Struggles

Van Niekerk's journey has been marred by injuries and fitness issues. After an ankle injury in early 2022, she attempted to return for the home World Cup in February 2023 but was deemed unfit by Cricket South Africa (CSA). The decision left her "absolutely broken", leading to her retirement.

World Cup Campaign

South Africa will begin their World Cup campaign against England on 3 October. The tournament, hosted by India and Sri Lanka, runs from 30 September to 2 November.

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