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As The Hundred Women 2023 reaches its midway point, the competition’s intensity continues to rise, with teams vying for crucial victories in the unique league format. Southern Brave currently leads the points table, having secured 8 points from 4 wins out of 5 matches. However, Oval Invincibles, one of the tournament’s strong contenders, has been dealt a significant blow with the unfortunate exit of their skipper, Dane van Niekerk.
The Oval Invincibles suffered a setback when Van Niekerk was ruled out of the remainder of the Women’s Hundred due to a fracture in her right thumb. The injury occurred during a match against Manchester Originals, and subsequent scans revealed an intra-articular fracture that necessitates surgical intervention. Prior to her injury, van Niekerk had showcased her prowess with the bat, amassing 44 runs across two matches.
Also READ: Northern Superchargers beat Manchester Originals in a thriller; Oval Invincibles keep Birmingham Phoenix winless
Regrettably, Van Niekerk’s absence was felt keenly in the following fixture, where the Invincibles faced defeat against Northern Superchargers. Currently positioned at the fourth spot on the points table with 5 points, the team has won two out of five games, with one fixture ending in a no-result.
Suzie Bates to lead Oval Invincibles in the absence of Van Niekerk
In response to this challenging situation, the Oval Invincibles have appointed New Zealand’s Suzie Bates as the stand-in captain in van Niekerk’s absence. The team management conveyed their gratitude to Van Niekerk for her continued support and dedication. Despite her injury, Van Niekerk expressed her commitment to her teammates and her willingness to contribute in any way possible.
“I’m very sad to be ruled out of the tournament. I felt like I was hitting my stride in the game against the Originals, so to get injured in the same match is incredibly frustrating. I’ll stay with the group to offer Suzie and the team all the support I can. I am very grateful to everyone that offered me their kind wishes after I missed the Superchargers game – it means a great amount,” van Niekerk stated in a heartfelt statement.
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