Proteas Women squad named for historic first Test against Australia

The Proteas Women will play their first Test in over 18 months – and a historic first against reigning Women's ODI and T20 world champions Australia at the West Australia Cricket Association Ground from 15-19 February.

The last time the team donned their all-whites was a one-off Test against England in 2022, and prior to that was as far back as 2014 against India.

As such, no less than six players could be making their Test debuts next Thursday, while just seven remain from the drawn encounter against England in Somerset back in June 2022.

The newcomers include batter Tazmin Brits, seamers Masabata Klaas and Ayanda Hlubi, as well as all-rounders Eliz-Mari Marx and Delmi Tucker, along with wicket-keeper Mieke de Ridder.

Led by captain Laura Wolvaardt and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who notched a maiden Test century – with an impressive knock of 150 against England last time out, coach Hilton Moreeng is relishing the test of a Four-Day encounter.

"It’s a great opportunity for us as a team, it’s another one in a while again, so I think especially with the youngsters, they’re very excited to challenge themselves and to test their skills in the longer format and in women’s cricket, it hasn’t been something we’ve been familiar with," said Moreeng.

"We’ve had an opportunity to prepare for it and playing in an iconic stadium, it’s an opportunity that every youngster wants to grab and test their skills against, so it’s exciting times for women’s cricket and one we’re looking forward to as a team."

READ: Marizanne Kapp shines as Proteas women claim first win over Australia

Proteas Women Test squad vs Australia:

Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans, Captain), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits* (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Mieke de Ridder* (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi* (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (Western Province), Masabata Klaas* (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx* (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker* (Western Province)

*Uncapped players