Daleen Holds the Key

Proteas batswoman Daleen Terblanche, pictured during the previous Women’s Cricket World Cup, is expected to play a key role in South Africa’s progress in the Qualifiers. Picture courtesy Cricket SA

South Africa
Women will rely on the experience of Daleen Terblanche for inspiration in their
ICC World Cup qualifier which starts on Monday in Stellenbosch. The South
Africans will pit their strength against Bermuda, the Netherlands and Papua New Guinea in Pool A.

Daleen is
the oldest member of the squad after making her debut against Ireland in
1997. She has scored 1236 runs at an average of 25.75 and her only century (114
not out) was scored against the Netherlands.

She began as
the wicketkeeper, but one of the youngest members of the squad, Trisha Chetty
of KwaZulu-Natal
has taken charge of the gloves.

Daleen is
keen on helping the younger players through this qualifier.  She hit 34 runs against the Netherlands in the warm-up match that was played
at Bridge House School
in Franschhoek, yesterday.

“I want to
see them through this campaign and hopefully if my body allows me to carry on,
I may be part of the squad at next year’s World Cup in Australia,” Terblanche
said. “We have a realistic chance of progressing to the finals, if we could be
at our best throughout the week.”

South Africa will face Bermuda
in the opening match. The Netherlands
will come up against Papua
New Guinea. Group B sees Ireland taking on Pakistan
and Scotland locking horns
with Zimbabwe.

For further
information and statistics, visit the Qualifier
page at the official ICC website.