February 23, 2008
Happy and relieved
Posted by Cri-Zelda Brits on 02/23/2008 in ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers, 2007-08
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I was personally pleased to finally score my first ODI hundred earlier against Netherlands
© ICC
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The players came into this tournament knowing qualification was an absolute must for South
Africa, so I'm almost as relieved as I am happy that we are going to the Women's World Cup in 2009.
I expected a slightly tougher game against Ireland in our semi-final, but once again we put in an outstanding team effort, with our bowling attack in absolutely superb form.
We've obviously had some interesting matches, against teams of very different standards, but everybody has to start somewhere and I hope teams such as Papua New Guinea and Bermuda would have learned some lessons.
I think the Papua New Guinea opening bowlers have been one of the most difficult attacks we have faced this past week. If they continue to work on their game, there is no reason why they can't be more competitive in the future.
For us, there have been many star performers, although I have been really proud of the way Olivia Anderson has adapted to international cricket.
Continue reading "Happy and relieved"
The World Cup beckons
Posted by Urooj Mumtaz on 02/23/2008 in ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers, 2007-08
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Pakistan celebrate their victory over Netherlands and a place in the Women's World Cup
© ICC
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| It’s still hard to believe that we’re going to be on the plane to Australia for the Women’s World Cup next year.
It was a World Cup win for Pakistan’s men team in Australia back in 1992 that inspired me to take up the game, so to think that I am going to follow in the footsteps of some of my cricketing heroes is amazing.
I don’t think anybody in my family would have thought that when I first picked up a cricket bat aged six-and-a-half and played against my brothers and cousins in the backyard that I would go onto lead my country in the sport. After yesterday’s result, when we beat Netherlands by 94 runs, even Dad might forgive me for all the plants we used to destroy in those backyard games. I don’t think there could have been prouder parents in Pakistan last night.
I tried to treat the semi-final against the Netherlands in the same way as I would any other match. After waking up and getting some breakfast, I finished praying and then did some visualization work to help me with my batting and bowling.
Continue reading "The World Cup beckons"
February 20, 2008
A good beginning
Posted by Urooj Mumtaz on 02/20/2008 in ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers, 2007-08
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Urooj Mumtaz claimed a hat-trick in Pakistan's game against Zimbabwe
© International Cricket Council
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| I couldn’t have dreamed for a better start to the tournament – played two, won two, and confidence in the side is sky high.
We have a really strong side – we have a very good bowling attack, with pace and spin options, and we have worked really hard on our fielding which has been good in this tournament so far. We know we have some more work to do on our batting, especially after six run outs in opening game against Ireland, but we showed some good form in our victory over Zimbabwe.
I am really enjoying the playing conditions in Stellenbosch, although the strong winds are a bit different to those back at home, but I have tried to use that to my advantage when I have been bowling. I also love the fact the outfield is soft – it hurts a lot more to dive around on the hard, dusty fields of Pakistan.
Continue reading "A good beginning "
February 17, 2008
Red Irish faces, and playing the unknown
Posted by Isobel Joyce on 02/17/2008 in ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers, 2007-08
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Half of Ireland's current squad played in the last World Cup including Caitriona Beggs, who also featured in the 2000 edition of the tournament
© Cricinfo Ltd
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Preparation for this ICC World Cup Qualifier tournament started at the end of the last World Cup, which was also in South Africa. But intensive training began once our squad of 20 was chosen in September.
To say that we were disappointed when the tournament was cancelled in November would be an understatement. All of our preparation was done with a view to travelling to Pakistan. Pakistani cricketers in Ireland spoke to us about conditions and traditions in their home country, and everybody altered their diets to prepare for the change there would be in available food.
Two of my brothers, Dom and Ed, have toured in Asia before and they were able to give me and my sister Cecelia an idea of what to expect, what food we should eat and what to bring with us. Not to be however, and training began again a few weeks after the tournament was cancelled.
Continue reading "Red Irish faces, and playing the unknown"
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