Ismail Should Have Been Coaxed Into One More Title Shot

Zaahier Adams

Cricket South Africa CSA announced the Proteas 15-player squad for the ICC Womens World Cup at its offices in Illovo yesterday.

There were a couple of surprises, namely uncapped 18-year-old leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu and 20-year-old seamer Ayanda Hlubi, who both played in the ICC Under-19 Womens World Cup in South Africa two years ago. But primarily the core of the squad that reached a first World Cup final in Cape Town last year was retained.

However, the point of discussion was always going to be about who was not there. There may not be major dramas associated with this squad, like there was last year when former captain Dane van Niekerk was left out after failing a fitness test, but there remains a glaring omission.

Fast bowler Shabnim Ismail retired from international cricket after the final at Newlands last year, which has left a gaping hole in the Proteas attack. There are few, if any, in the entire womens game who bowl at the pace Ismail consistently does.