Thistles
Personnel
CaptainAndrie Steyn
CoachYolandi van der Westhuizen
Team information
Colours  Light blue
Founded2019
History
WSL wins0

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 Andrie Steyn and coached by Yolandi van der Westhuizen.[1] Their best T20 Super League finish came in 2020–21, when they were runners-up.

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.[6] Duchesses won two of their three matches in the tournament, and finished second, just edged out by winners Coronations on Net Run Rate.[7] 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.[8][9]

The tournament returned for its fourth edition in December 2022, with Andrie Steyn becoming the side's captain and Yolandi van der Westhuizen becoming coach.[1] The side finished third in the tournament standings, although with five matches abandoned due to rain, no overall winner was crowned.[10]

Players

Current squad

Based on squad for the 2022–23 season. Players in bold have international caps.[1]

Name Nationality Birth date Batting style Bowling style Notes
Batters
Annerie Dercksen South Africa26 April 2001Right-handedRight-arm medium
Andrie Steyn South Africa23 November 1996Right-handedRight-arm mediumCaptain
Sunette Viljoen South Africa6 October 1983Right-handedRight-arm medium
All-rounders
Micaela Andrews South Africa9 August 1998Right-handedRight-arm medium
Alyssa Erxleben South Africa26 June 1998Right-handedRight-arm off break
Eliz-Mari Marx South Africa20 January 2003Right-handedRight-arm medium
Nondumiso Shangase South Africa5 April 1996Right-handedRight-arm off break
Faye Tunnicliffe South Africa9 December 1998Right-handedRight-arm medium
Wicket-keepers
Tebogo Macheke South Africa19 June 2000Right-handed–
Verunissa Reddy South AfricaUnknownRight-handed–
Bowlers
Paulinah Mashishi South Africa13 February 1999Right-handedRight-arm medium
Nonkululeko Mlaba South Africa27 June 2000Right-handedSlow left-arm orthodox
Tumi Sekhukhune South Africa21 November 1998Left-handedRight-arm medium

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
2022–23 6120253rd

Honours

References

  1. 1 2 3 "WSL 4.0 Squads and Fixtures: Star-Studded Lineups and Triple Headers". Cricket South Africa. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  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. ↑ "WSL 3.0: All you need to Know - Women's Super League – Teams , Fixtures and Player Squads". CricketWorld. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "Women's T20 Super League 2020/21". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  8. ↑ "Bowling in Women's T20 Super League 2020/21 (Ordered by Wickets)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Duchesses v Thistles". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "Rain brings a premature end to Women's Super League". Super Sport. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
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