South Africa make three changes

South Africa women's team has made three enforced changes just a week before they host Pakistan in a much-anticipated five-match ODI series.

Mignon du Preez, Angelique Taai and Kirsten Blair have been called in as replacements for the injured Shandre Fritz and Shafeeqa Pillay, while Alicia Smith hasn't recovered from illness.

With the World Cup qualifiers taking place in Pakistan in November this year, both teams will use the forthcoming series as part of their preparations.

Cri-Zelda Brits steps into the captaincy role to cover Fritz, who sustained a neck injury while diving into a swimming pool last month. du Preez, from Northerns, provides extra depth. Brits, the 23-year-old right-handed batsman from North West, has plenty of experience at this level, having played in the World Cup in South Africa two years ago.

Pakistan arrive in South Africa on Monday, and will be based at the University of Pretoria's High Performance Centre. On Wednesday they play a SA Invitational XI in a one-day tour match at the Laudium Cricket Oval, Pretoria and will play their first ODI match on Saturday.

They are currently ranked 10th on the ICC world rankings, three places below South Africa (7) and, under captain Urooj Mumtaz (22), the team will be looking to play nothing less than inspirational cricket.