SA Women vs SL Women T20Is: SA opener ruled out due to fitness issues

Senior batter Lizelle Lee has been withdrawn from South Africa’s squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka as she failed to meet the team’s fitness standards. The team management has added Andrie Steyn in the team for the remaining T20Is as Lee’s replacement. The Proteas have also lost pace bowler Zintle Mali due to an injury for the T20I series.

Lizelle withdrawn as team priorities fitness over experience

Lizelle Lee is one of the experienced players in South Africa’s squad. The right-hand batter has featured in 73 ODIs and averages 33.69 with the bat. She has also played 57 T20Is and has scored 1165 runs at an average of 23.30.

She has been in good form in recent times as she has scored 276 runs in 13 games including a century in the WBBL while playing for Melbourne Stars.

Pacer Zintle Mali will also miss the T20I series as she has picked up a grade one strain of the quadriceps muscle but she is expected to regain fitness for the ODI series.

South Arica lead the T20I series 1-0

Meanwhile, the hosts won the first T20I against Sri Lanka at Cape Town. Batting first, Sri Lanka were routed for a mere 90 runs in their 20 overs and then South Africa chased the target in just 14.2 overs with opener D van Niekerk scoring an unbeaten knock of 71 runs.

South Africa’s squad for T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka

South Africa are scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs against Sri Lanka. The second T20I between the two teams will be played on 03rd February.

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T20I squad: Dane van Niekerk (captain), Chloe Tryon (vice-captain),Tazmin Brits, Mignon du Preez, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Saarah Smith, Tumi Sekhukhune, Zintle Mali, Faye Tunnicliffe (wicketkeeper), Masabata Klaas, Nadine de Klerk, Andrie Steyn, Laura Wolvaardt

ODI squad: Dane van Niekerk (captain), Chloe Tryon (vice-captain), Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Saarah Smith, Tumi Sekhukhune, Zintle Mali, Faye Tunnicliffe (wicketkeeper), Masabata Klaas, Andrie Steyn.