By Zainab Shafiq 
The announcement of the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad for WCPL 2025 has brought a wave of excitement, especially with the inclusion of South Africa’s seasoned all-rounder Dane van Niekerk. The former Proteas captain will feature in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League for the very first time, signalling her return to franchise cricket after more than a year. Alongside her, New Zealand’s Molly Penfold and Ireland’s Amy Hunter have been drafted in as replacements for Shabnim Ismail, Lauren Winfield-Hill, and Madeline Penna.
Van Niekerk’s journey back to the spotlight has been far from ordinary. After stepping away from international cricket in 2023 following fitness concerns, she recently reversed her decision by returning to domestic cricket with Western Province. Her performances were impressive, she finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the CSA Women Pro20 Series, smashing one century and a fifty.
Guyana Amazon Warriors Squad for WCPL 2025 Strengthened
For van Niekerk, this is her first appearance in a franchise league since the 2023 Hundred, where she last played competitively outside South Africa. She also had a stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the inaugural Women’s Premier League in 2023, though she never made it to the playing XI and was released before the following season. Now, her selection in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad for WCPL 2025 marks a significant opportunity to re-establish herself on the global stage.
While she won’t be part of South Africa’s squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka later this month, national head coach Mandla Mashimbyi has confirmed that she remains in contention for future series. Her decision to keep competing at the top level shows intent and ambition, making her addition a valuable boost for the Warriors.
Warriors Ready for WCPL 2025 Opener
The Warriors open their WCPL 2025 campaign against Trinbago Knight Riders in Providence on Saturday. With van Niekerk’s versatility, Penfold’s medium-pace bowling, and Hunter’s reliability behind the stumps, the squad looks well-balanced and competitive heading into the tournament. Fans will be watching closely to see how these new signings shape the side’s fortunes in what promises to be another electrifying edition of the league.
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