Kapp and van Niekerk have both put their names in the WPL player auction, but van Niekerk’s participation will depend on the CSA being willing to grant her an NOC. The board’s policy is to deny injured or incapacitated players the right to participate in overseas leagues, although their influence becomes questionable if the player retires. While the CSA has previously sent players who were not considered fully match-ready (such as Anrich Nortje in last year’s IPL) to a tournament where there was a program to regain their fitness, ESPNcricinfo has learned that the CSA is unsure whether they will do so. grant. for van Niekerk, who was 18 seconds short of the two-kilometer timing mark.
“She is part of the World Cup. She is dedicated to the cause of the World Cup,” said Moreeng, the South African coach. “She needed a compassionate leave break and she was granted it because we felt we were very happy with the form she is in, in terms of her ability. She was cleared to come back ready to play.”
Moreeng admitted the disruption of losing his main man, Kapp, for the final and the uncertainty surrounding van Niekerk’s selection has been “tough” for everyone in the South African camp, but he wants his players to “move on” quickly. “It was tough on everyone. The players I know will be very disappointed but at the end of the day, we have to move on,” he said. “Disappointment is one of the things we will have to deal with and move on as a team. The players are very professional. They know things like this happen. We don’t wish that on any player but it is what it is. They know they have to get on with it ».
Like selectors editor Clinton du Preez, who announced the World Cup squad on Tuesday, Moreeng argued that the rule used to keep van Niekerk out of the World Cup was applied fairly across the board. “When you look at the minimum standard required for players to be available for selection – players all over the country know what is required,” he said. “It’s non-negotiable and every professional cricketer knows that. That’s why we have bigger squads so we can make sure we have depth in every position.”
Asked if he felt he had his best squad available, Moeeng said: “It’s the strongest 15 we have available.”