All-rounder Dane Van Niekerk, 29, failed to complete a two-kilometer run in the allotted time, according to Cricket South Africa.
Dane Van Niekerk, who has served as captain across all forms since 2016, retired from test international cricket in September 2021 while still healing from a fractured ankle.
In Van Niekerk’s absence, Sune Luus will have the responsibility to lead the team in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.
Cricket experts and fans have voiced their dismay at South Africa’s shocking decision to leave skipper Dane van Niekerk out of their T20 World Cup team. On Tuesday evening, the Proteas dropped the shocking news that van Niekerk didn’t meet the team’s fitness standards to compete in their home World Cup.
Van Niekerk, who has headed the South African women’s team since 2016, was not included in the team because she was unable to finish a 2 km run in less than 9 min 30 sec. She allegedly ran at 9.48, a personal best, but finished 18 seconds over the allotted time.
Due to a fractured ankle, the 29-year-old missed the Commonwealth Games and the ODI World Cup last year and was not chosen for South Africa’s current tri-series against the West Indies and India.
The cruel action is not a new step in cricket South Africa; Sisanda Magala previously missed out on playing for Central Gauteng Lions in the local T20 Challenge because he didn’t meet Cricket South Africa’s standard for men’s 2 km running. When he made international comeback, he instantly gave a match winning performance against England in the first T20 a few days ago.
A number of players, cricket experts have shown their disbelief and anger towards this uncanny move by South African selectors.
Ex South African pace bowler said: “Oh f***, I missed my 2km time by seconds, must mean I’m s***.”
Van Niekerk said on social media that the decision had left her “totally shattered.” The only female South African player in history with more over 1500 runs and 50 wickets in T20Is, she has 194 career appearances for her nation.
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Van Niekerk’s wife Marizanne Kapp said: “She is one of the best captains in world cricket. You will be missed! The Lord has bigger plans.”