The Central Gauteng women's cricket team, also known as DP World Lions and previously known as Southern Transvaal women's cricket team, Transvaal women's cricket team and Gauteng women's cricket team, is the women's representative cricket team for part of the South African province of Gauteng. They compete in the CSA Women's One-Day Cup and the CSA Women's T20 Challenge.[1]
History
The side first competed in the Simon Trophy in 1951–52, as Southern Transvaal, competing in the tournament until 1986–87. They then joined the Inter-Provincial Tournament for its inaugural season in 1995–96, as Transvaal, before becoming known as Gauteng in 1997–98.[1] The side became Central Gauteng in 2019–20, and has also been known as Lions, in conjunction with the men's team.[1] They have competed in Provincial One-Day Tournament ever since their first appearance, winning the title once, in 2004–05. That season, they finished second in Group B to qualify for the knockout rounds, subsequently reaching the final where they beat Border by 64 runs.[2][3] They have also finished as runners-up in the tournament four times: in 2012–13, and three times in a row between 2015–15 and 2017–18.[4][5][6][7]
Central Gauteng have also competed in the CSA Women's Provincial T20 Competition since it began in 2012–13. They have finished as runners-up three times, in 2012–13, 2016–17 and 2021–22, every time to Western Province.[8][9][10] They won their first T20 competition in 2022–23, topping the Top 6 Division with eight wins from ten matches.[11]
In August 2023, it was announced that a new professional domestic system would be implemented for women's cricket in South Africa. As one of the six teams in the top division of the two domestic competitions, Central Gauteng would be allowed eleven professional players from the 2023–24 season onwards.[12][13]
Players
Current squad
Based on squad announced for the 2023–24 season. Players in bold have international caps.[14]
Players who have played for Central Gauteng and played internationally are listed below, in order of first international appearance (given in brackets):[15]
^"CSA Celebrates Landmark Moment in Women's Cricket with the Launch of Professional Domestic Women's League". Cricket South Africa. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^"South Africa's women's team to get equal match fees as the men". ESPNcricinfo. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^"DP World Lions Women". Lions Cricket. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^"Central Gauteng Women or Associated Teams Players". CricketArchive. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
South Africa
Barbara Cairncross (1960)
Bev Brentnall (1966)
Lesley Clifford (1966)
Sharne Mayers (2019)
