Cloud over Dane van Niekerk, Chloe Tryon’s availability for India tour  

“Unfortunately both players are still out due to their injury,” a source close to the developments told Women’s CricZone on Saturday (February 20). Although sources in the BCCI have confirmed to this website that the series is happening in Bengaluru next month, the same in Cricket South Africa are still maintaining ‘no confirmation as of yet.'

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Asked if van Niekerk and Tryon would not be touring India even if it’s happening, the source said, “Correct.” The two players had picked up injuries late last year with van Niekerk missing out on the Women’s Super League 3.0 and also not been able to be a part of the national camp before the Pakistan series.

Earlier, CSA team doctor Tshegofatso Gaetsewe said the two all-rounders are in advanced stages of rehabilitation. “With regards to the captain van Niekerk and Tryon both of them sustained lower back injuries in December and both are currently in different phases of rehabilitation,” Gaetsewe said during one of the virtual media interactions.

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However, if the players’ social media handles are to be followed, van Niekerk has started to get back in shape as she shared a video where she is seen batting in the nets. There was nothing to be seen about Tryon yet.

As in the Pakistan series, Sune Luus could be leading the side in van Niekerk’s absence with the same set of players likely to retain their places in the squad. The last time South Africa toured India was back in 2019, the Proteas lost 1-3 in the T20Is before losing the ODI series 0-3.