"I'm very sad to be ruled out of the tournament," Van Niekerk said in a statement. "I felt like I was hitting my stride in the game against the the Originals so to get injured in the same match is incredibly frustrating."

Van Niekerk will stay with the team for the competition. "I'll stay with the group to offer Suzie and the team all the support I can," she said. "I am very grateful to everyone that offered me their kind wishes after I missed the Superchargers game - it means a great amount."

Van Niekerk played two matches, scoring 2 against Welsh Fire before hitting 42 off 23 against the Originals. She then missed the game against Northern Superchargers with injury.

Bates deputised as Invincibles captain four times last season, when van Niekerk was left out of the side. Under previous regulations, teams were permitted four overseas players in their squad and three in the XI, and van Niekerk was omitted in four group games as a result.