Dane van Niekerk

Van Niekerk is a much-loved part of the South African dressing room, has taken her country up the T20I rankings during her time as captain, and will be crucial in the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

Ellie Wookey | 26/01/2020 at 07:36

Born: May 14, 1993

Role: Right-hand bat, right-arm legspin

The consistent all-rounder is a proven match winner and has undoubtedly been one of South Africa’s best performers over the past 10 years.

Ranked No.6 in the ICC T20I all-rounder standings, Van Niekerk arrived on the international stage in 2009 after impressing in domestic cricket for Highveld Women and Northerns Women.

Since assuming the captaincy four years ago, her leadership and competitive nature has been a catalyst for South Africa’s improvement in major tournaments.

Although South Africa failed to qualify for the semi-finals at the 2018 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Saint Lucia, Van Niekerk led her team to the last four of the 2017 Women’s World Cup and finished the competition as leading wicket-taker with 15.

In her 76 T20Is for South Africa (up to January 16, 2020), Van Niekerk has scored 1,699 runs at an average of 29.80, a strike-rate of 95.12 and a high score of 90 not out.

In addition, in her T20I career she has taken 58 wickets at an average of 20.63, an economy rate of 5.46 and with best figures of 4-17. She has also represented the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL and the Surrey Stars in the KSL.

In her 63 matches for the Sydney Sixers, she has scored 795 runs at a high score of 52 at a strike rate of 105.58. In the 2019 KSL, Van Niekerk finished the tournament as the leading wicket taker for the Surrey Stars with 12 wickets at an average of 17.58.

Van Niekerk has not played a T20I since February 2019 due to a stress fracture of the right femur. Despite the setback due to injury, her performances in the format speak for themselves and she is sure to make an impact in this year’s World Cup.

SOUTH AFRICA PLAYER PROFILES

Chloe Tryon