Published: Jun 21, 2016, 03:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 21, 2016, 03:06 PM (IST)
Johannesburg: South Africa women’s team skipper Mignon du Preez has stepped down from the post in all formats in order to focus on her batting. Reflecting on her decision, the 27-year-old admitted that she took this extremely difficult decision for her personal as well as the benefit of the team. “Stepping down from the captaincy role will give me an opportunity to work on my own game, which has taken a downturn in the last couple of seasons. I believe I can make a better contribution by putting runs on the board, and offering support and advice to the next captain,” Du Preez was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. Du Preez backs more Tests for women
Leg-spinner Dane van Niekerk, who played 56 ODIs, 57 T20Is and a Test match for the country, will succeed Du Preez across all formats. Du Preez had led South Africa in 46 ODIs, 50 T20Is and a Test match in her span of four years as a captain.
Earlier, Mignon du Preez, called for more Test cricket. Du Preez led the South Africa Women recently in a Test against India Women in Mysore, which was won by the hosts. She feels that though Women may not play too many Tests a year, they certainly need to play one or two a year. Du Preez was quoted by sport24.co.za, “Women’s cricket and Test cricket is something we’d like to do more often, hopefully once or twice a year. I don’t think our bodies are ready like the men to play two or three in a row yet, but it would be nice.”
