Former South African captain Dane van Niekerk is in contention for this year’s World Cup campaign in the subcontinent after reversing her decision to step away from international cricket.
The 32-year-old announced her international retirement in March 2023 after missing selection for that year’s T20 World Cup having failed to meet Cricket South Africa’s fitness requirements. She last represented South Africa in September 2021, having also missed the 2022 T20 World Cup due to a broken ankle.
But on Monday, van Niekerk announced in a social media post that she was once again available for national selection, apologising to CSA for how she handled her retirement.
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“I’m thrilled to announce that I have decided to revoke my retirement from international cricket,” she wrote.
“The time away has reminded me just how much I have missed representing my country and I am fully committed to giving everything to once again have that opportunity.
“I sincerely apologise to Cricket South Africa and the cricket family for how I handled my retirement, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to hopefully one day express my skills again on the international stage. I know the standards of the team and the women’s game continue to rise, and I am ready to work hard to meet them.
“I return with renewed energy, focus, and a deep sense of gratitude for this chance. Thank you to everyone who continues to support me on this journey.”
Meanwhile, van Niekerk has been named in South Africa’s 20-member training camp ahead of the World Cup, 12 members of which are expected to feature in the final squad.
Van Niekerk has played 107 ODIs for South Africa since making her international debut in 2009, scoring 2175 runs and taking 138 wickets in the 50-over format. She is the nation’s third-leading wicket-taker and seventh-highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs, captaining South Africa on 80 occasions across formats.
South Africa will play three ODIs against Pakistan in September before their World Cup campaign gets underway the following month.