Especially within women’s cricket, there has been remarkable progress in a growth of cricket in South Africa in current times. The Proteas Women, the national women’s cricketing squad of South Africa, have made rapid strides as well as are now recognized as among the top teams in a sport. This progress has been achieved through a contributions of numerous exceptionally talented cricketers. As per today’s women’s cricket match, here is the look at a top 10 best South African women cricketers in ODIs:
- Marizanne Kapp
The all-rounder Marizanne Kapp is undoubtedly the best cricketer South Africa has produced in women’s cricket. She emerged as the focal point of the Proteas team upon her entry into the field in 2011. Presently, she holds the leading position as the ODI all-rounder in women’s cricket and secures the third-highest record for the most wickets taken in South Africa’s history.
Kapp is an aggressive right-handed batter who opens the innings and also a right-arm medium pacer. She has scored 1910 runs in 84 ODIs at an average of 30.96. With the ball, she has taken 131 wickets at an incredible average of 20.28. Her best bowling figures are 5/45. Kapp was instrumental in South Africa’s run to the semi-finals of the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
- Lizelle Lee
The hard-hitting opening batter Lizelle Lee has been one of the most destructive batters in women’s cricket over the last decade. She holds the record for the highest individual ODI score for South Africa – 132 not out.
Lee made her debut in 2013 and has racked up 2364 runs from 78 ODI matches so far at a stunning average of 36.21. She has a strike rate of 97 runs per 100 balls faced, illustrating her attacking batting style. Some of her best knocks have come against the stronger teams like England, India and Australia.
- Dane van Niekerk
The South African captain Dane van Niekerk is an accomplished all-rounder. A right-arm leg spin bowler and middle order batter, van Niekerk has been a consistent performer for the Proteas.
In 100 ODI matches, she has made 2597 runs at an average of 30.67. Her handy off spin has also fetched her 92 wickets at an average of 24.75. She has the joint highest ODI score of 102* by a South African woman cricketer.
- Mignon du Preez
A veteran of South African cricket, Mignon du Preez made her debut way back in 2007. She is among the finest batters produced by the country.
Du Preez usually bats at number 3, playing the role of the sheet anchor around whom the innings is built. In 153 ODIs, she has scored 3929 runs at an average of 37.28. She has notched up 10 centuries and 20 half-centuries.
Additionally, her handy right-arm leg spin has given her 72 ODI wickets. Du Preez continues to be an integral part of the Proteas middle order.
- Trisha Chetty
Wicket-keeper batter Trisha Chetty has been the first choice gloveswoman for South Africa since her debut in 2011. She has featured in 89 ODIs and scored 1989 runs at an average of 30.29.
Chetty is nimble behind the stumps and has 54 dismissals to her name. She is also a gutsy batter capable of scoring runs quickly. Chetty has been a stable presence at the top of the order for the Proteas in recent years.
- Shabnim Ismail
One of the best fast bowlers in women’s cricket presently, Shabnim Ismail has been a potent weapon for South Africa. She consistently bowls at good pace and has tremendous control over line and length.
Ismail has claimed 147 wickets from 99 ODIs at an incredible average of 20.48. She has best figures of 5/10. Ismail has the ability to run through any batting lineup on her day and annexed many five-wicket hauls. She continues to spearhead the South African bowling attack.
- Masabata Klaas
A relatively new entrant to the team, Masabata Klaas has quickly become a vitally important part of South Africa’s bowling attack. She is a right-arm medium pacer with the ability to generate good speed and swing.
Klaas announced her arrival with figures of 5/20 against Pakistan in 2018. Since then, she has claimed 45 ODI wickets in 32 matches at 19.15 apiece. She also has a taste for scoring quick runs lower down the order. Klaas is set to lead the Proteas pace bowling unit in the coming years.
- Sune Luus
An all-rounder, Sune Luus is a world-class spin bowling option for South Africa in ODIs. She is their leading spinner and her accurate off-spin has yielded 48 wickets in 55 matches. With the bat, Luus has made 824 runs at an average of 20.6 and scored at almost 70.
Since her debut in 2016, Luus has been a consistent component of South Africa’s ODI team. When van Niekerk was unavailable, she was frequently forced to step in as captain. Luus is still young and her best years certainly lie ahead.
- Laura Wolvaardt
Among the new generation of batters, Laura Wolvaardt has been the brightest prospect for South Africa. She is an opener who made her ODI debut in 2016. Wolvaardt has scored 987 runs in 43 ODIs at an average of 27.41.
She already has four half-centuries and a highest score of 75. Wolvaardt has shown tremendous composure and skill at the crease against some of the best bowlers. She represents the future of South African batting and could become their leading run-getter.
- Tumi Sekhukhune
A relatively unknown name, medium pacer Tumi Sekhukhune has been a rising player for South Africa in recent years. She has claimed 40 wickets in 34 ODIs since her 2017 debut.
Sekhukhune does not have express pace but makes up for it with unerring accuracy and discipline. She maintains an economy rate under 4, exemplifying her ability to keep things tight. With age on her side, Sekhukhune is set to lead the pace bowling unit in the future after Ismail’s retirement.
Conclusion
This list highlights the best women cricketers produced by South Africa in the ODI format as seen in women cricket live. The nation has seen massive improvement recently in women’s cricket. These gifted cricketers deserve a lot of the credit for their excellent performances on the international scene. Today’s top female athletes include players such as Kapp, Lee, van Niekerk, and Ismail. The future also looks bright with the emergence of young talents like Klaas, Luus and Wolvaardt. South African women’s cricket is definitely on the upswing.