The 16-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso has been called up for her first ODI and will be included in the 14-man South Africa team for their three-match series against Sri Lanka, which begins on April 9 in East London.
Chloe Tryon, who was absent from the third Twenty20 International, will not be able to play in the series as she continues to heal from a back ailment. Leaving out is Annerie Dercksen, who played in the T20I series that South Africa defeated 2-1. Her spot in the side has been taken by all-arounder Delmi Tucker. ” Hilton Moreeng, South Africa’s head coach, said. “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.”
Meso made her debut for South Africa in the second Twenty20 International match in Potchefstroom against Sri Lanka. She batted at No. 8 and was bowled out by Chamari Athapaththu for a two-ball duck. She did not score a run in the third match, reaching the crease with one ball remaining in the innings. Tucker has participated in one Test, fourteen T20Is, and seven ODIs. She’s amassed 53 runs and three wickets in seven ODIs.
The ICC Women’s Championship, which determines qualification for the 50-over World Cup, will include the ODI series. South Africa has won ten of their last fifteen games, placing them second on the table with 20 points.
“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,” Moreeng said. “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.”
Following the first ODI in East London, the second match between South Africa and Sri Lanka will take place in Kimberley on April 13 and the third in Potchefstroom on April 17.