South Africa have been dealt with a major setback ahead of the upcoming women’s ODI Tri-Series against Sri Lanka and India as talismanic all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has been rested from the series.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has opted to rest the veteran cricketer as part of workload management ahead of the crucial ODI World Cup later this year. The tournament, set to take place in India from September to October, remains a major focus for the Proteas, and Kapp’s absence from both the tri-series and a concurrent training camp is a strategic decision to ensure she is not overloaded with excessive workload.
In a press release, Cricket South Africa said, “Experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has been rested for the training camp and the upcoming ODIs in Sri Lanka as she begins her individual conditioning block in preparation for subsequent tours and the 50-over World Cup later in the year.”
For an athlete who has been in continuous action across formats and leagues, workload management becomes of absolute importance in maintaining peak performance on the field and preventing eventual burnout.
Kapp has been on a marathon run on the cricketing field, last featuring in South Africa’s multi-format home series against England in the fag end of 2024. Despite a successful white-ball series and a one-off Test for visitors England, Kapp was the standout performer in the shorter format, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with seven wickets from three matches, at an average of an incredible 8.86.
After a gasping series, she moved swiftly into franchise cricket, playing in the third season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for Delhi Capitals. Contributing as a significant middle order batter for her team, Kapp scored 106 runs in six innings at an average of 35.33, and a strike rate hovering around 130. She led the pace battery with the ball, taking eight wickets in as many matches at a miserly economy of 5.72.
The strategic acumen and stamina it takes to play such an intensive, physically and mentally challenging sport must be taken into consideration, and CSA’s move to rest Kapp in preparation for the ODI World Cup is a well thought out precaution to make sure she is fresh and fit for one of cricket’s biggest spectacles. Kapp’s skills with bat and ball will be pivotal in South Africa’s campaign at the marquee global event.
The 35-year-old has been a beacon of inspiration in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and her staggering numbers solidify her status as one of the finest all-rounders that have ever graced the 22-yards. In 149 matches, she has amassed 3,116 runs, proving her mettle as a dependable batter in the middle order. Her remarkable tally includes 15 half-centuries and three centuries, with each knock underlining her ability to anchor innings as well as accelerate as and when the situation demands.
However, Kapp’s impact is not limited to the magic she produces with the bat—her contributions with the ball are just as stupendous. With 164 wickets in 139 innings, she has been a consistent wicket-taker for South Africa, maintaining an impressive bowling average of 24.62 and an economy rate of just 3.81. Her best figures of 5/54 exemplify her match-winning abilities, and she has claimed four four-wicket hauls over her illustrious career.
Kapp’s prowess at the highest level is further underscored by the fact that she holds the record for the highest individual score by a South African player in a Women’s World Cup – a magnificent unbeaten 102 against Pakistan in Cuttack in 2013. It was a knock that demonstrated her ability to perform in pressure situations. Whether the bat or ball, Kapp’s statistics reveal the characteristics of an elite all-rounder, not just on occasions but someone integral to South Africa’s success on the world stage.
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