SUNRISERS SEAL VAN NIEKERK SIGNATURE

Sunrisers are delighted to be able to announce the overseas signing of South African Dané van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk needs very little introduction, having played a crucial role in the development of the South African Women’s team, captaining the side for five years.

With 194 international caps to her name, van Niekerk has scored over 4,000 international runs with nineteen half-centuries and an ODI hundred, and claimed 204 wickets for South Africa. She has featured regularly in the Australian Women’s Big Bash League, as well as representing Oval Invincibles alongside Mady Villiers, Eva Gray and Jo Gardner. Last month she was bought for 30 Lahks in the inaugural Indian Women’s Premier League by Royal Challengers Bangalore.

At the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, she became the first ever bowler to take four wickets in international cricket history without conceding a single run, whilst also setting the record for recording the best bowling figures for South Africa in Women's World Cup history, claiming 15 wickets.

The South African will join up with the squad at the start of the Charlotte Edwards Cup campaign in mid-May, and will be available in both formats through to the August break for the Hundred.

On the signing of van Niekerk, Sunrisers Head Coach Andy Tennant said: “This is an extremely exciting time for Sunrisers, and having the ability to bring in Dané speaks volumes of the work that has been going on behind the scenes at this Club.

We all know exactly what Dané is capable of, and the experience that she will bring to our group of players is invaluable. We made sure that the current squad were aware throughout the whole process, and Eva and Mady have always spoken so highly of her after spending so much time together during the Hundred. She’s both a brilliant player and a brilliant person, and we can’t wait to welcome her into the Sunrisers family.”

Ahead of her arrival, van Niekerk said: “I'm very excited to join up with my Sunrisers teammates. I look forward to this new chapter and contributing to the overall success of the team. So grateful for the backing and can't wait to get on the field to start playing.”

Dané will wear shirt number 81. Please join us in welcoming her to the Club!