Thistles (women's cricket)

Thistles, previously known as F van der Merwe XI, are a South African women's cricket team that compete in the Women's T20 Super League. The team has no geographical base, instead being made up of some of the best players from across South Africa. They are captained by Tumi Sekhukhune and coached by Angelique Taai.[1] Their best T20 Super League finish came in 2020–21, when they were runners-up.

Thistles
Personnel
CaptainTumi Sekhukhune
CoachAngelique Taai
Team information
Colours  Light blue
Founded2019
History
WSL wins0

History

Thistles were first formed in 2019 to compete in the Women's T20 Super League, a tournament designed to provide more competitive cricket to the best players in South Africa. For the first edition of the tournament, the side was named after its coach, Francois van der Merwe, becoming F van der Merwe XI. They were captained by Nadine de Klerk.[2] F van der Merwe XI won one of their three matches in the first tournament, therefore finishing third overall.[3]

For the following edition of the tournament, which took place two months later in December 2019, the side was named Thistles. de Klerk and van der Merwe were retained as captain and coach, respectively.[4] The side lost all three of their matches, finishing bottom of the table.[5]

The third edition of the tournament took place in December 2020. Angelique Taai became coach of the side, and picked Tumi Sekhukhune as captain in the draft that took place prior to the competition, as well as picking fellow South Africa stars Shabnim Ismail and Trisha Chetty.[1] Duchesses won two of their three matches in the tournament, and finished second, just edged out by winners Coronations on Net Run Rate.[6] Thistles bowler Nobulumko Baneti was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with 7 wickets including a best of 4/18, taken in the side's 36 run victory over Duchesses.[7][8]

Players

Current squad

Based on squad for the 2020–21 season. Players in bold have international caps.[1]

Name Nationality Birth date Batting style Bowling style Notes
Batters
Anneke Bosch South Africa (1993-08-17) 17 August 1993Right-handedRight-arm medium
Courtney Gouden South AfricaUnknownLeft-handedUnknown
Eliz-Mari Marx South AfricaUnknownRight-handedRight-arm medium
All-rounders
Alexandra Candler South AfricaUnknownRight-handedUnknown
Shabnim Ismail South Africa (1988-10-05) 5 October 1988Left-handedRight-arm fast-medium
Nonkhululeko Thabethe South Africa (1992-09-01) 1 September 1992Right-handedRight-arm medium
Wicket-keepers
Trisha Chetty South Africa (1988-06-26) 26 June 1988Right-handed–
Bowlers
Nobulumko Baneti South Africa (1999-01-05) 5 January 1999Right-handedRight-arm medium
Moseline Daniels South Africa (1990-02-05) 5 February 1990Left-handedLeft-arm medium
Jade de Figueiredo South Africa (1990-03-10) 10 March 1990Right-handedSlow left-arm orthodox
Khayakazi Mathe South Africa (1999-05-22) 22 May 1999Right-handedRight-arm medium
Nadia Mbokotwana South Africa (1999-05-07) 7 May 1999Right-handedRight-arm off break
Tumi Sekhukhune South Africa (1998-11-21) 21 November 1998Left-handedRight-arm mediumCaptain

Seasons

Women's T20 Super League
Season League standings Notes
P W L T A/C Pts Pos
2019 3120023rd
2019–20 3030004th
2020–21 3210042nd

Honours

References
  1. "WSL 3.0: All you need to Know - Women's Super League – Teams , Fixtures and Player Squads". CricketWorld. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  2. "CSA launches inaugural Women's T20 Super League". Cricket South Africa. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  3. "Women's T20 Super League 2019/20". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  4. "CSA launches Women's Super League". Cricket South Africa. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  5. "Women's Super League 2019/20". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  6. "Women's T20 Super League 2020/21". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  7. "Bowling in Women's T20 Super League 2020/21 (Ordered by Wickets)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  8. "Duchesses v Thistles". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
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