South Africa women cricket duo — Dane Van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp — on Tuesday became the first ever married couple to bat together in an International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament. The couple was playing against Sri Lanka during the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Proteas skipper Van Niekerk and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp tied the knot in July this year. Kapp had revealed the news of their marriage on Instagram, and as per reports most players from South Africa women’s team attended the wedding.
Kapp and Niekerk are the second pair among the active players to get married to teammates. New Zealand’s Amy Satterthwaite and Lea Tahuhu had hot married last year.
Milestone alert: On top of their 67-run partnership, @danevn81 & @kappie777 celebrated taking their 50th T20 international wickets today! Congratulations ladies! Here’s to many more! #ProteasWomen #AlwaysRising #WeAreMore #WatchThis pic.twitter.com/JlVxPFx2lG
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) November 13, 2018
Van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp made their international debut during the 2009 World Cup. While Van Niekerk was handed her debut cap against West Indies on March 8, Kapp made her debut for South Africa on March 10.
On Monday, the duo shared a 67-run partnership as South Africa stormed to victory against Sri Lanka in the ongoing WWT20 being held in the West Indies.
It’s all over in St Lucia! Congratulations to the #ProteasWomen on their 7-wicket win! Also huge congratulations to @shabnim_ismail on her Player of the Match award. #AlwaysRising #WeAreMore #WatchThis pic.twitter.com/Gen1zWx8AN
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) November 13, 2018
Bowling first, South Africa first restricted Sri Lanka to 99 for the loss of 8 wickets and then chased down the paltry target with 7 wickets and 9 balls to spare.