???A phone call in the middle of the night from Sydney Sixers coach Ben Sawyer had South African skipper Dane van Niekirk fearing she'd lost her Women's Big Bash League contract.
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She hadn't - the No. 3 ranked all-rounder in the world was being offered a Women's National Cricket League deal with the ACT Meteors.
Now van Niekirk is gearing up for her Meteors debut alongside women's cricket's best one-day bowler and No. 4 ranked all-rounder Marizanne Kapp.
???The pair have transformed the Meteors into a genuine title threat ahead of their WNCL season opener against Victoria in a day-night clash at Manuka Oval on Friday.
Kapp and van Niekirk have spent the past two seasons in the WBBL - with the latter first playing for the Melbourne Renegades before following Kapp to the Sixers.
It was Sixers coach Sawyer that opened the door for the South African stars to link up with the Meteors following a chat with ACT coach James Allsopp.
"It was a funny story. James and Ben Sawyer had a chat one night, they spoke about us apparently," van Niekirk said.
"James had this great idea to get us over here, he spoke to Aiden Blizzard. They contacted me the same night, it was half past four in South Africa.
"I thought I'd actually lost my Big Bash contract but then another opportunity came. We're very lucky and blessed that the two of them met up and had this great idea.
"Aiden Blizzard has been brilliant setting us up, and helping us with everything. We have no complaints, we're very lucky and hopefully we can return the favour on the field."
Kapp is the ICC's top-ranked one-day international bowler and the fiery quick will have a huge role to play in the absence of two Meteors stars.
???Promising Meteors quick Maitlan Brown has been sidelined for at least six weeks with a stress fracture to her right tibia, while fellow fast bowler Nicola Goodwin is on the comeback trail from a broken arm.
Kapp says a stint with the Meteors will be the perfect launching pad for her to help the Sixers to a second-straight WBBL title, but all that matters right now is the quest for WNCL gold.
"It always helps. I always say I'm someone that, especially with bowling, I use momentum a lot," Kapp said.
"Getting into it nice and early prepares us for the Big Bash but I think this is most important now. Hopefully we can help the team secure a final spot.
"I'm really excited. We got here a bit later than expected, but we know a few of the girls from playing with them at the Sixers so we're really excited for the upcoming two games this weekend."
The Proteas pair join wicketkeeper Erica Kershaw, New Zealand opening batter Hayley Jensen, and off-spinning all-rounder Erin Burns as new faces in the Meteors squad.
The Meteors will back up on Sunday against last season's finalists Queensland.
WNCL ROUND ONE
Friday October 6: ACT Meteors v Victoria at Manuka Oval, 2.30pm (day-night).
WNCL ROUND TWO
Sunday October 8: ACT Meteors v Queensland at Manuka Oval, 10am.
