Thomson, Hodgkinson back in SA squad

Kirstie Thomson and Alison Hodgkinson have been included in the South Africa squad for the series against England in October. The 15-member squad will be captained by Cri-zelda Brits, with Trisha Chetty as deputy.

Thomson returns after missing about a year's cricket due to injury, while batsman Hodgkinson is making comeback after being dropped in 2005. Hodgkinson had last represented South Africa in an ODI against West Indies in April 2005, and was looking forward to another international stint. "It's great to know that hard work still pays off," Hodgkinson told Supersport.com. "I have trained harder than I ever have in my life to earn back my place."

Captain Brits said her team will be wary of England. "We know that as the world's No. 1 team and they won't be holding anything back, but I have every faith in the team that the coach and the selectors chose," Brits said. "We are at the best that we have ever been mentally and physically, and we look forward to getting this tour started."

The series gives South Africa a chance to evaluate their progress, according to coach Yashin Ebrahim-Hassen. "This series against England would be an excellent yardstick to assess where we are at in women's cricket," he said. "With a bit of luck hopefully we can cross that finishing line first, failing which we will endeavour to grow as a unit."

Squad: Cri-zelda Brits (capt), Trisha Chetty (vice-capt), Shandre Fritz, Shabnim Ismail, Mignon du Preez, Kirstie Thomson, Melissa Smook, Marizaane Kapp, Dane van Niekerk, Denisha Devnarain, Masabatta Klaas, Yolandi van der Westhuizen, Alison Hodgkinson, Sunette Loubser, Chloe Tryon.