Photo Credit: ICC
As excitement builds for the eighth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Momentum Proteas will aim to continue from where SA U19 Women left off in the first-ever ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. The precursor tournament was held in South Africa from 14-29 January 2023.
The SA U19 Women represented the country with pride and resilience in the inaugural ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, losing only one match to eventual winners, India U19 Women in the group stages.
The team displayed their quality both as hosts and competitors. Playing five matches in front of their families and fans, the youngsters were determined to showcase their expressive brand of cricket and steal the hearts of South African fans.
After winning all their super six matches in the tournament, the team exited with milestone achievements under their names;
Simone Lourens made a household name for herself against India in the World Cup opener. The fifteen-year-old batter had brilliant innings, smashing the second half century of the tournament, making her the highest scorer in the team with a total of 141 runs and has since shown her skills as a fielder.
Madison Landsman’s first ever hat-trick against Scotland, inking her name in the history books and leading South Africa to the first win of the World Cup. Landsman also had her share with the bat, scooping an overall total of 91 runs in five games.
Ranking at the top of the team’s bowling is Kayla Reyneke who accumulated eight wickets with an average of 13.50. Her competency as a batter earned her the second spot after Lourens with 113 runs and was named player of the match twice.
Another player who got awarded as a POM was Miane Smit who had impressive bowling stats, picking up seven wickets including her best spell of (4/11).
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the team of the tournament for the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup where Proteas U19 wicket-keeper, Karabo Meso was named amongst the 12 players who made up the team.
Meso has played a crucial part behind the stumps for the team, picking up eight dismissals in five matches. On the crease, the youngster scored 80 runs in the tournament with 32* being her highest score and a 103.69 strike rate. The 70 runs partnership between Meso and Madison Landsman guided the SAW U19 to secure the first super six victory against Bangladesh.
The fifteen-year-old undoubtedly made a household name for herself cheering for her teammates on the pitch.
Meso’s keeping skills played a significant role in aiding Landsman register the first tournament hat-trick that went down as the most memorable moment in history. At such a tender age and having played her first international matches in her home soil will remain remarkable to Meso and the rest of the team.
The Proteas U19 team, under the headship of Coach Dinesha Devnarain exited the World Cup appreciative of the 15 players that formed part of the historic World Cup and gave their best in every match played.
South Africa U19 World Cup Squad 2023
Oluhle Siyo (*C), Madison Landsman (VC), Jemma Botha, Monalisa Legodi, Simone Lourens, Karabo Meso, Anica Swart, Elandri Janse Van Rensburg, Ayanda Hlubi, Nthabiseng Nini, Jenna Evans, Refilwe Moncho, Miane Smit, Kayla Reyneke, Seshnie Naidu.
