Adelaide Strikers sign up Dane van Niekerk

Proteas skipper Dane van Niekerk has signed a deal with Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming edition of Women’s Big Bash League. Strikers have already struck a deal with Proteas top order batter Laura Wolvaardt.

van Niekerk now enters Adelaide Strikers after Suzie Bates couldn’t be a part of the tourney due to border restrictions. Bates is currently in England with the New Zealand Women’s team. She is guaranteed quarantine once she returns New Zealand but same can not be guaranteed once she travels Australia to play the WBBL. Several New Zealand residents were stranded in Australia as the country has taken precautionary measures against COVID-19 spread.

“At the time I had to make the decision, I had a spot booked by New Zealand Cricket to get me back into NZ and if I gave it up to fly straight to Australia, there was high chance of being stranded in Australia post the Big Bash,” Bates explained.

The Proteas all-rounder previously represented Sydney Sixers in WBBL.

Dane van Niekerk top scored in the inaugural edition of The Hundred by scoring 259 runs in 9 innings at an average of 43.16 with the help of 2 half centuries. van Niekerk also picked 8 wickets at an average of 20.62 with a best of 3-30 – going at a economy rate of 6.60. She was adjudged the Player of the Tournament for her contribution with both bat and ball.

Speaking on van Niekerk’s appointment, Adelaide Strikers coach Luke Williams said, “It is no coincidence that Dane has played in winning teams, she leads by example and always performs on the biggest stages.

“Dane comes to Australia in incredible form off the back of The Hundred and South Africa’s tour of the West Indies and we can’t wait to see her take the field as a Striker.”

WBBL will begin on October 14 as Sydney Sixers take on Melbourne Stars in the opening fixture. The final is scheduled to take place on 27 November. A total of 59 T20 matches are sketched to be played in the WBBL 2021 edition.