Proteas fast bowler Shabnim Ismail.
Image: AFP
Shabnim Ismail may have been away from international cricket for three years, but she remains as passionate and fiery as ever.
The fast bowler’s return from the international wilderness was confirmed on Tuesday when she was named in the Proteas Women’s 15-player squad for next month’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales.
Ismail, 37, has not worn the Proteas jumper since the T20 World Cup final against Australia at Newlands in 2023. Known for firebrand displays on the field and brutal honesty off it, Ismail shot straight from ball one.
“I still am who I am. I never changed,” Ismail said in a Cricket SA interview. “Not that I am going to be the magic stick, but I'm hoping that when we get to the World Cup, I can try and make a difference. I just want to go out there and, obviously, do my thing, and then also, the most important part is playing again for South Africa, trying to help win the World Cup.”
The veteran pacer, who has played 241 matches for the Proteas across formats and taken 317 international wickets since her debut back in 2007, stated that her decision to return to the Proteas fold was not taken overnight.
It was instead a lengthy deliberation between her trusted circle, which includes former Proteas wicket-keeper Trisha Chetty, and coach Mandla Mashimbyi.
“It was obviously a hard, long decision,” Ismail said. “I always say I have morals and values, and I think a lot of people know once I'm done, I'm done. But obviously, I had nice conversations with family first of all, with my sister, with Trish — like, people that are really, really close to my heart —and then obviously coach Mandla as well. He's been messaging me.
“I think when the news came out about how he's just waiting for that one phone call from Shabnim Ismail, I think that was the one that actually topped it off. We actually had nice, positive conversations, to be honest.”
Mashimbyi claims it was “a no-brainer” to get Ismail involved again, as the veteran remains one of the premier fast bowlers in the world, having remained active over the past three years on the T20 global circuit.
“When we looked at our team and at the ODI World Cup, we felt that we needed that ‘X-Factor’, and she definitely carries that. She’s a strong character,” Mashimbyi told the media on Tuesday. “She’s a fighter, good in the field, and a senior... we needed [her] in our team to make sure that we’re going to fight all the way.
“I think it was a no-brainer, to be honest, to try and get one of the best bowlers in the world playing for South Africa again. Whatever happened in the past probably happened. I came here with a clean slate, and I want to achieve great things with this team. And for that to happen, you need to have the best people available. Shabnim is one of those.”
The Proteas have reached three successive major ICC tournament finals — two T20 World Cups and last year’s ODI World Cup — but have lacked the cutting edge to get over the line when it mattered most.
Mashimbyi feels they now possess it in Ismail, which is why he was determined to get her back in Proteas colours since he took on the job in November 2024.
“When I got the job, one of the things was to see why she’s not part of the team. After that (2025 ODI) World Cup, I contacted her. I said, whenever she’s ready, she can give me a call,” he said.
“Maybe the last month or so, those talks took a positive turn, and she decided she would like to come back. For me, that was a blessing in disguise, because in terms of what we need in the team, she’s probably the right fit for that.
“We wouldn’t have a player of her calibre sitting at home and watching us play. And looking at the gaps that we had as a team, she was fitting the bill beautifully as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what she can offer. At the end of the day, I think we’re a better team with her in the team.”
Fellow veteran all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk were also included in the 15-player squad, which will be led by captain Laura Wolvaardt.
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, , Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Dane van Niekerk, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon.