- The fixtures for the 2022 ICC Women's World Cup in New Zealand has been released.
- The Proteas women will kick off their campaign against a to-be-determined qualifier in Dunedin on 5 March 2022.
- Proteas skipper Dane van Niekerk said it is a honour to represent her side at any World Cup.
The ICC have released the fixtures for the 2022 ICC Women's World Cup, which will be hosted in New Zealand.
The pinnacle event for women's cricket will see eight of the world's best go head-to-head in 31 matches from 4 March-3 April 2022.
It's the first global women's cricket event to be played since the Women's T20 World Cup in Australia back in March.
The tournament was postponed from its original window in February-March 2021 due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Proteas will get their campaign underway on Saturday, 5 March 2022 against a to-be-determined qualifier at the University Oval in Dunedin.
On Tuesday, 22 March 2022, the Proteas will face reigning T20 World Cup champions Australia, who defeated South Africa in a 5-run (DLS) semi-final defeat.
Proteas captain Dane van Niekerk stated that representing her country in a World Cup will always be a memorable occasion.
"Any time you get the chance to play for your country and wear the Proteas on your jersey it's an honour," said Van Niekerk in an ICC statement.
"I have been fortunate to have the opportunity before to play at a Women's Cricket World Cup, but every new time is more special than the last. Every young cricket player dreams of playing for their country at the highest level, and we are definitely looking forward to the CWC22 in New Zealand."
ICC CEO Manu Sawhney stated the organisation is proud of the significant process to the women's game, indicting $NZD5.5 million available in prize money.
"The ICC has made a long-term commitment to elevating women's cricket as part of our strategy to grow and develop the global game," he said.
"We want to build a sustainable foundation for women's cricket. It is about building a product that fans want to watch, that kids want to take up, that sponsors and broadcasters want to be part of. This schedule takes the world's best cricketers across New Zealand and can help inspire a generation of girls and boys to take up the game.
"We are extremely proud of the significant progress we have made in increasing prize money for ICC events over the last few years, with the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand having $NZD5.5 million dollars available in prize money, an increase of almost 60% on 2017 and more than 1000% compared to 2013."
Proteas fixtures for 2022 ICC Women's World Cup:
Saturday, 5 March - Proteas v Qualifier at University Oval in Dundedin
Friday, 11 March - Proteas v Qualifier at Bay Oval in Tauranga
Monday, 14 March - Proteas v England at Bay Oval in Tauranga
Thursday, 17 March - New Zealand v Proteas at Seddon Park in Hamilton
Tuesday, 22 March - Proteas v Australia at Basin Reserve in Wellington
Thursday, 24 March - Proteas v Qualifier at Basin Reserve in Wellington
Sunday, 27 March - Proteas v India at Hagley Oval in Christchurch
Wednesday, 30 March - Semi final 1 at Basin Reserve in Wellington
Thursday, 1 April - Semi-final 2 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch
Sunday, 3 April - Final at Hagley Oval in Christchurch
- Compiled by Sport24 staff