Dane van Niekerk ‘uncomfortable’ in cricket kit after fitness issues

Dane van Niekerk, the former captain of the South African cricket team, has expressed her discomfort with wearing cricket clothes, five months after facing controversy due to fitness concerns.

Van Niekerk was controversially dropped from the squad for the T20 World Cup held in South Africa in February. Her exclusion was a result of not meeting the required time for a 2km run.

Having made her comeback for the Sunrisers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup in May, the 30-year-old subsequently retired from international cricket. She recently shared her feelings about the issue, stating, “In everyday life, I’ll walk around in shorts and a T-shirt. I feel okay – like a human, a normal human being. I don’t feel like I’m overweight; I don’t feel uncomfortable. But the moment I put on cricket clothes, I feel uncomfortable, and I don’t feel like I need to.”

Acknowledging the importance of fitness, Van Niekerk emphasized that it is unfair to diminish someone’s worth based on appearance or their way of doing things. She highlighted her contributions to winning games for franchises and her country, despite not being the leanest cricketer in the world.

Reflecting on her omission from the World Cup, Van Niekerk felt that the decision was personal. She believed that cricket selection should prioritize a player’s ability to perform and win games for their country rather than solely focusing on running speed.

Van Niekerk, who debuted for South Africa at the age of 16 in 2009 and captained the team in 2016, has an impressive cricket career with 194 international matches under her belt. She expressed pride in her achievements, including having the highest average while chasing in the world.

Van Niekerk’s partner, South Africa fast bowler Marizanne Kapp, has been emotionally affected by the turbulent period. Van Niekerk revealed that Kapp witnessed her struggles during the fitness test and supported her throughout the challenging time.

Currently playing for the Sunrisers, Van Niekerk will captain the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred in August. However, an international comeback seems unlikely for her due to the environment created during her absence.

Despite the negative experiences, Van Niekerk remains motivated by her love for the game. She aims to rediscover the joy and passion for cricket and hopes to perform well and contribute to her team in the future.

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