Sinalo Jafta Out, Uncapped Filander In For Zimbabwe T20Is

Sinalo Jafta has been ruled out of South Africa's T20I series in Zimbabwe with a hamstring strain. Cricket South Africa named uncapped Western Province wicketkeeper Jae-Leigh Filander as her replacement. The five matches start in Bulawayo on 11 September. Neither side has played the other in a women's T20I before.

The strain was picked up in pre-tour testing, the ICC reported. Laura Wolvaardt still captains the 15. The squad was named on 19 August. The series ends on 19 September.

Meso takes the gloves

Karabo Meso becomes the primary wicketkeeper for the tour. Filander is the only other keeper named in the squad. Both came through the South Africa Under-19 pathway. Jafta had been the senior option behind the stumps.

Cricket South Africa described Filander as a South Africa Under-19 Women and Western Province player. She has no senior cap. Any appearance in Bulawayo would be her first for the national side.

A first meeting in the format

Zimbabwe and South Africa have never met in a women's T20I. Cricket South Africa called the tour historic when it named the squad. Five matches follow in nine days. All of them are in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe are the hosts. Keeping every fixture in one city removes travel between matches. The gap between games is one day throughout.

The touring squad

Cricket South Africa named the following 15 players for the tour.

• Laura Wolvaardt (captain)
• Anneke Bosch
• Annerie Dercksen
• Jae-Leigh Filander
• Ayanda Hlubi
• Eliz-Mari Marx
• Karabo Meso
• Seshnie Naidu
• Nthabiseng Nini
• Luyanda Nzuza
• Kayla Reyneke
• Nondumiso Shangase
• Miane Smit
• Faye Tunnicliffe
• Caitlin Wyngaard

Cricket South Africa notes that Wyngaard has moved from Western Province to the Titans and Nini from North West to the Warriors. Nzuza is also at the Titans.