From Hlubi to Goodall missing out: Five talking points from Women's World Cup squad

On Wednesday, Cricket South Africa announced a 15-player Proteas Women's squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India, and Independent Media’s Ongama Gcwabe dissects the hot topics surrounding the squad.

Team average age

When the World Cup squad was announced in Melrose, concerns were raised over the average age of the team, which is 29, which is also a relatively high number for any team. Seven of the 15 players, all of whom are generally starters, are above the age of 30, with all-rounder Marizanne Kapp being the oldest in the squad at 35 years of age.

Without the 17-year-old Karabo Meso, the team average becomes 30 years old. The question then becomes, how many of the seven players will still be playing in the next World Cup?

Ayanda Hlubi

It was explained that the 21-year-old fast bowler Hlubi missed out on making the squad because she offers more or less the same expertise as the quicks that eventually made the squad. Tumi Sekhukhune, who is short in stature and therefore could be hard to put away in the subcontinent, made the cut.

However, it is clear that Hlubi might have been a better investment for the future. The experience of the World Cup would have done her and the team the world of good, especially since Sekhukhune will likely play very few games, if at all. 

Anneke Bosch

Bosch was the hero during last year’s T20 World Cup semi-final with her unbeaten 74, a knock that helped South Africa beat Australia to qualify for their second consecutive World Cup final. Because of her experience in World Cups, the 32-year-old has made the cut.

However, her selection is a risk as the right-handed batter has not played a single international match this year. Could the selectors have looked for an active top-order batter as an option? 

Lara Goodall

It certainly was a tough decision to make to leave left-handed batter Goodall behind. After all, Goodall is one of the most experienced batters in the team with over 50 ODIs to her name.

However, the selectors made a calculated decision, leaving Goodall behind as she has struggled with consistency over the last couple of years.

When Bosch was out with an illness and missed the tour to Sri Lanka and the West Indies earlier this year, Goodall did not grab her opportunities with both hands. In Sri Lanka, the top-order batter had many good starts but failed to capitalise and score big. 

Faye Tunnicliffe

Tunicliffe is unlucky not to be on the plane to the World Cup, as she has shown a lot of promise as a young batter. The 26-year-old had an excellent Emerging tour to Bangladesh earlier this year, where she recorded a highest score of 89 not out.

That knock was in similar conditions to those in which the World Cup will be played; however, Tunicliffe missed out on the squad. Domestically, the 26-year-old has had some big scores, including an unbeaten century against SWD Women earlier this year. 

Proteas Women Squad - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 & Pakistan Tour

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloé Tryon.

Travelling Reserve: Miané Smit