JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Former skipper Cri-Zelda Brits has been included in a 14-member South Africa Women squad for next month’s limited overs tour of the Caribbean.
The 29-year-old all-rounder, who has played 57 One-Day Internationals and 17 Twenty20s, took an indefinite break from the game last January to focus on her management career.
“I’m really happy to be back. This is a very exciting time for me and I’m really looking forward to representing my country again,” said Brits.
“This break served to show me how much I love the game and how much I’ve missed playing international cricket. I can’t wait to get into get on the field in St Kitts and do what I was born to do.”
Brits, who boasted a 10-year career for the Proteas prior to her break, will bring her huge experience back to the line-up, having scored 1 384 runs at an average of 31.
She took over the captaincy in 2007 from the injured Shandre Fritz and led South Africa for four years, pioneering series sweeps over Pakistan and the Netherlands.
Brits joins a side now led by Mignon du Preez, and which includes two new caps Savanna Cordes and Elrisa Theunissen.
Coach Hilton Moreeng said the squad was a strong one which would be further boosted by Brits’s experience.
“I’m confident about the team we’ve chosen. It’s a really good mixture of youth and experience and I’m happy with the depth in the side. It’s a pleasure to see the return of an experienced player like Cri-Zelda, I’m certain she’ll have a positive influence on the side,” Moreeng noted.
“We’re excited about going to the West Indies and to face some tough competition. This is the best preparation for the World Cup that we could ask for and we look forward to our arrival and getting our campaign started.”
The Caribbean tour, which runs from January 7-20, comprises five One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s, and will be used as a warm-up for the ICC World Cup in India later this next month.
South Africa leave next Friday for St Kitts which will host the first two ODIs.
SQUAD – Mignon du Preez (Captain), Susan Benade, Cri-Zelda Brits, Trisha Chetty, Savanna Cordes, Dinesha Devnarain, Shandré Fritz, Marizanne Kapp, Dané van Niekerk, Marcia Letsoalo, Sunette Loubser, Yolandi Potgieter, Chloe Tryon, Elrisa Theunissen. (WICB website)
