South Africa name 16-year-old wicketkeeper-batter in squad for Sri Lanka T20Is
Cricket South Africa have announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming home T20Is against Sri Lanka, featuring a star player from last year’s ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Karabo Meso has earned her maiden international call-up in South Africa’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at home, starting 27 March.
She featured in the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 held in South Africa. The wicketkeeper-batter was impressive with the gloves, effecting eight dismissals in five matches – the most in the tournament. For her wicket-keeping brilliance, she earned her place in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023’s Team of the Tournament.
Also read: U19 Women's T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament revealed
She later was selected in Team South Africa at the first-ever Women’s T20 competition at the 13th African Games in Ghana, in which South Africa won the silver medal.
The other notable change to the squad from the Australia T20Is, in January, is the return of the all-rounder duo - Annerie Dercksen and seamer Tumi Sekhukhune.
These three players are coming in place of injured fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi, who is continuing her rehabilitation following a groin injury, Mieke de Ridder and Delmi Tucker, who are not part of the T20I leg of the tour.
As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is slated for September-October, this series will play a crucial role in the preparation for both teams.
Hilton Moreeng, the Proteas Women's Head Coach, is looking forward to watching how a youngster like Meso would perform at the international stage as the team seeks to fill a few spots within their core structure.
“We still have the core of the squad to make sure we can continue with what we've been working on regarding the T20Is. The build-up has been coming along nicely and now it’s just for us to deservingly give opportunities for those one or two spots we want to have a look at,” Moreeng said.
All-rounder Marizanne Kapp remains the biggest threat in the South Africa strike force as they make a late charge on home soil toward the semi-finals at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
“There are a few youngsters coming in and one debutant in Karabo Meso who has been part of the High-Performance group and in the U19 World Cup. It's a youngster who's got a lot of potential and one we're looking to see how she goes when given the opportunity.”
South Africa will host Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series followed by as many ODIs, which will form a part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-2025 cycle. The squad for the ODI leg will be announced in due course.
South Africa T20I squad: Laura Wolvaardt, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon