Cricket League Down to the Wire

Top of the table teams,
Boland and Western
Province, can’t afford to
slip up in their final two games of the season if either of them want to fully
contend for the title of the Women’s Provincial League. Boland captain, Sunette
Loubser summed it up: "It’s do or die."

The inclement weather around
the country has pushed the league a week further than the scheduled end this
weekend. The matches between Free State and Western Province and Northerns and Boland which
were scheduled for the 31st January and 1st February
respectively, have been postponed to Sunday 15 February because the fields were
not match ready. This brings an exciting end to the league ahead of the ICC
Women’s World Cup in Australia
next month.  

Defending champions, Boland,
lead the log with 19 points, albeit only by way of net run-rate and need to win
their final two matches convincingly if the trophy will stay in Paarl.
Newly-elected national women’s captain, Sunette Loubser, will lead her in-form
team, which will be fired up with the experience of all-rounder, Alicia Smith
and opening batswoman, Yolandi van der Westhuizen. Loubser, and fellow team
mate Moseline Daniels, are joint first with the most number of wickets
(14). 

"We’re looking forward to
the game this weekend. We’re not thinking about our title hopes but rather
taking it one game at a time. We’re well prepared and the ladies want to go out
there and wrap it up," said Loubser.

Western Province previously
won the title in the 2006/2007 and their performances this season have affirmed
their intentions. They are aware of the importance of the last two games but
are going to keep it simple and play the same game they have been playing
during the season.

"I told my girls to treat
every game like the final. We have rebuilt from the
start this season, we have a very young squad, so it would be a great
accomplishment if we did manage to lift the trophy," said captain, Olivia
Anderson.