Dane Van Niekerk has been left out of the Proteas’ squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup FILE - Dane van Niekerk has been left out of the Proteas’ squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Cape Town — Dane van Niekerk’s omission from the Proteas T20 Women’s World Cup squad on Tuesday had social media buzzing.
Van Niekerk was left out of the side after failing to meet minimum criteria for Cricket South Africa’s fitness benchmark. Here are some of the reactions, including the former captain’s.
Dane van Niekerk was gutted.
Absolutely BROKEN.. https://t.co/oS4DX7CIkS
— Danevn81 (@Danevn811) January 31, 2023
Teammate and wife Marizanne Kapp expressed her sadness on Twitter
One of the best captains in world cricket ❤️ Jy gaan gemis word! Die Here het groter planne! 💔 https://t.co/dEbl2Z8Ikp
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) January 31, 2023
Dale Steyn joined the conversation…
Oh fuck, I missed my 2km time by seconds, must mean I’m shit.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 31, 2023
BBC commentator Alison Mitchell also weighed in…
Is intl cricketing fitness to be measured solely on a 2km run?Intrigued to get opinion of high perf coaches - is it simply fair & right to demand a clean set of fitness tests from all players, no matter what else they bring? Or should a more rounded view be taken? #T20WorldCup
— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) January 31, 2023
Tony Robinson OBE questioned if discrimination was to blame
I don't like this.
— Tony Robinson OBE (@TonyRobinsonOBE) January 31, 2023
Cricket South Africa said all-rounder Van Niekerk, 29, did not achieve the required time for a two-kilometre run.
Dane Van Niekerk is South Africa's best player and captain for 6 years.
Many of the GOATS - men & women - would have failed.
Discrimination?
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