Qualification-driven South Africa announce squad for Sri Lanka ODIs; Tryon out with injury

South Africa Women will be playing a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka Women starting on April 9. Chloe Tryon has been ruled out from the series due to a back injury. She had even missed out on the third T20I. While she is recuperating from the setback, Karabo Meso has been inducted into the 14-member squad of South Africa ahead of impending fixtures. 

This is the maiden ODI call-up for the wicketkeeper-batter, as she made her debut in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Potchefstroom. The 16-year-old had a forgettable outing in her debut game, as she was dismissed for a duck by Chamari Athapaththu. The subsequent game too did not provide her platform as she arrived on the final ball and did not fetch any run.

"It's a big loss with the injury of Chloe as an allrounder, that's why Delmi has come into the squad and she can give you the offspin option and with her batting. In these conditions, we never know this time of year what to expect on our surfaces. So we make sure that we have all our angles covered and overall we're just excited to make sure that we finish off on a high and go into our off-season,” said South Africa's head coach Hilton Moreeng as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Qualification is key for the 2025 World Cup: Moreeng

The opening ODI will be played on April 9 in East London, followed by the second ODI in Kimberley on April 13. The series will conclude with a game in Potchefstroom on April 17. The impending series is vital for both teams as the three ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship. The championship will allow teams to qualify for the upcoming 50-over World Cup. Moreover, South Africa find themselves in the second spot with 20 points in 15 games.

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"It's a very simple equation for us, there's six points to play for and Sri Lanka showed now in the last two to three days what they are capable of, so it's now to make sure that we can get that right because every game there's a lot more to play for. Qualification is key for the 2025 World Cup. It's going to be a challenge but everyone is looking forward to it and we have a very strong squad on home soil," Moreeng added.

South Africa squad for women's ODI series vs Sri Lanka:

Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune Delmi Tucker.