Women’s T20 World Cup: Dane van Niekerk – Dale Steyn and many people in the cricket fraternity are livid after former South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk was overlooked by CSA for the Women’s T20 World Cup. Reportedly, Niekerk was dropped from the SA World CUP team after failing to run 2KM in 9Mins 30Seconds. This harsh decision by Cricket South Africa has drawn criticism from most of the cricket community. Follow ICC Women’s T20 WC LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
Women cricket players are required to run two kilometres in 9 minutes 30 seconds for one of the fitness tests prior to their home tournament. Van Niekerk reportedly missed the mark by 18 seconds, according to ESPNCricinfo.
Women’s T20 World Cup: Dale Steyn LIVID, as South African cricketer DROPPED from World CUP team after failing to run 2KM in 9Mins 30Seconds: CHECK OUT
Clinton du Preez, the chief selector, claimed that as a result, the 29-year-old was passed over for the WC, which gets underway in Cape Town on February 10.
“Dane was given an extensive opportunity to meet the minimum criteria or the fitness benchmark,” he said.
“It’s purely based on the not meeting of the fitness criteria that she’s missed out.”
Oh fuck, I missed my 2km time by seconds, must mean I’m shit.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 31, 2023
Is intl cricketing fitness to be measured solely on a 2km run?Intrigued to get opinion of high perf coaches – is it simply fair & right to demand a clean set of fitness tests from all players, no matter what else they bring? Or should a more rounded view be taken? #T20WorldCup
— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) January 31, 2023
Women’s T20 World Cup: Sisanda Magala questions Proteas 2kms run criteria
Van Niekrek’s exclusion from the home T20 World Cup left Dale Steyn, Alison Mitchell, and others perplexed. The all-rounder is one of the biggest match-winner going around and is the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker for South Africa in T20 World Cups. She has scored over 400 runs and picked over 15 wickets in the showpiece event.
Before the World Cup, the 29-year-old prepared by having intense training sessions and shedding almost 10 kgs. However, that was still not enough as she did not pass the 2km fitness criteria test just by 18 seconds. South African cricketer Sisanda Magala, who openly criticized the nation’s fitness test criteria feels the 2 km rule is not even required as you do not run so much on a cricket field.
“When do you run a whole two kilometers consistently on a cricket field? You don’t”, he said.
“Your maximum sprint is probably when you are chasing a ball on the boundary.
Speaking about the South African Squad for the T20 World Cup, Sune Luss will lead the side. She has been the captain ever since van Niekerk was out of the team due to an ankle injury in November 2021.
Women’s T20 World Cup: Dale Steyn LIVID, as South African cricketer DROPPED from World CUP team after failing to run 2KM in 9Mins 30Seconds: CHECK OUT
Editors pick
