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SA team ready to hit foes for six

ASSURED: South African women's cricket team manager Zola Thamae. Pic. Duif du Toit. 28/11/08. © Gallo Images.
ASSURED: South African women's cricket team manager Zola Thamae. Pic. Duif du Toit. 28/11/08. © Gallo Images.

Meshack Khotha

Meshack Khotha

Zola Thamae, manager of the South African women's national cricket team, believes they have assembled a formidable squad that is capable of doing well at the ICC Women's World Cup qualifiers in Stellenbosch from February 18 to 24.

Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, after a 14-member squad was announced on Sunday, Thamae emphasised that the team is well balanced and has got what it takes to finish on top of the log.

Eight teams will take part in the qualifiers and the two top sides will automatically qualify for the ICC Women's World Cup in Australia next year.

"We have retained most of the players who boast of international experience. Most of them are in tip-top condition because they have been involved in the provincial league games,'' said Thamae, who is also a general committee member of Cricket South Africa.

She added that Olivia Anderson, Dinesha Devnarain and Matshipi Letsoalo will receive their first caps.

The qualifying tournament was initially billed for Pakistan in November last year but it was switched to South Africa because of security reasons.

Full squad: Cri-Zelda Brits (captain), Claire Terblanche (vice captain), Susanna Benade, Trisha Chetty, Dinesha Devnarain, Mignon du Preez, Shandre Fritz, Ashlyn Kilowan, Matshipi Letsoalo, Sunette Loubser, Analie Minny, Alicia Smit, Olivia Anderson and Magdalena Terblanche.

l Meanwhile, the national Under-19 men's team that will compete at the ICC Cricket World Cup in Malaysia next month has been announced.

The tournament will be played at Kuala Lumpur from February 17 to March 3.

Selection chief Shafiek Abrahams said: "The squad was selected from a group of players that was part of a two-year programme.

"They were identified during the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week and the camps that were set up under our structures during the season."

The squad will assemble at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria for a training camp on February 6.

The team: Wayne Parnell, Roy Adams, Matthew Arnold, Clayton August, Bradley Barnes, Daniel Childs, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Reeza Hendricks, Pieter Malan, Mangaliso Mosehle, Abraham Pienaar, Rilee Rossouw, Jon Smuts, Yaseen Vallie and Jonathan Vandiar.

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