Chloe Tryon returns from injury as South Africa name squads for white-ball tour of Australia

South Africa are in for a challenging assignment to start 2024 as they are set to travel to Australia to play a one-off Test match, three T20Is and as many ODIs.

The Proteas named a 15-member squad for the white-ball leg of the tour that will take place before the Test match. Experienced all-rounder Chloe Tryon has recovered from a groin injury that kept her out of the series against Bangladesh. The 29-year-old has been out of action since the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and last played the home series against New Zealand in October.

Laura Wolvaardt will be leading the team that includes veterans like Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk and Ayabonga Khaka. The trio of Kapp, de Klerk, and Khaka were a part of the ODI series versus Bangladesh last month but missed the T20Is.

Meanwhile, Annerie Dercksen, Nondumiso Shangase, Tumi Sekhukhune and Lara Goodall, who were all part of the last home series, have not been selected for the Australia tour.

"It's a very competitive squad. It is a mixture of youngsters and experience, and everyone is looking forward to it. It was a very good year for us as a team in 2023, so we look forward to building on that. We touched on our skills regarding the white ball, where we are going, and what is required, so the selected squad is very well-balanced and competitive, and we are very confident going into Australia," head coach Hilton Moreeng was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Moreeng received a contract extension till the end of the ongoing season. South Africa drew the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh 1-1 after one game ended in a no-result. Wolvaardt and Co. sealed the ODI series 2-1.

The first two T20Is between Australia and South Africa will be played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on January 27 and 28, respectively. The action will then shift to Bellerive Oval in Hobart for the third and final T20I on January 30.

The first ODI is scheduled to be held in Adelaide on February 3. The two remaining 50-over matches will be held in Sydney. The one-off Test, which will be the first one between the two sides, will commence from February 15 in Perth.

South Africa squad for the white-ball leg versus Australia: Laura Wolvaardt (C), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder (WK), Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Chloé Tryon, Delmi Tucker