Dane Van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp first married couple to bat together in ICC tournament

Dane Van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp of South Africa became the first married couple to bat together in an International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament.

The duo batted together during South Africa’s World T20 encounter against Sri Lanka and stitched a vital 67-run partnership to help their side register a seven-wicket victory.

South Africa women’s team captain Van Niekerk and her partner Kapp tied the knot earlier this year in July becoming only the second cricket pair to get married after New Zealand’s Amy Satterthwaite and Lea Tahuhu.

All-rounder Kapp had made the news public via her Instagram post where she shared two images from their wedding ceremony. Both the players had also incidentally made their debut within just two days of each other during the 2009 women’s cricket World Cup. While Van Niekerk played her first international match against the West Indies on March 8, Kapp was handed her first cap on March 10.

In the match on Tuesday, South Africa first restricted Sri Lanka to 99/8 in 20 overs before they chased down the target with 9 ball and seven wickets remaining.

Kapp was at her all-round best conceding just 13 runs in her four overs with a wicket before she scored 38 off 44 balls to successfully help her side chase the modest total.

Her partner and skipper Van Niekerk also picked up a wicket and contributed a 33 not out with the bat in their 67-run partnership.

South Africa currently third in Group A, behind England and West Indies and will next face the defending champions and hosts.