Noor Builds Ladies for World Cup

Noor Rhode (fourth from right, top row) wants to build the national Women’s Cricket Team to take on the world’s best at the ICC’s 2009 Women’s Cricket World Cup, in Australia.

Coach of the South African Women’s Cricket team, Noor Rhode, is determined to bring stability to his team and build momentum ahead of the 2009 International Cricket Council Women’s World Cup in Australia.

South Africa destroyed all opposition in the recent World Cup qualifier, successfully organized by Boland Cricket Union, annihilating Bermuda, Papua New Guinea and the Netherlands to wrap up Group A without losing a game. They went on to trounce Ireland in the semi-finals before defeating Pakistan in the final to win the Qualifier and book a trip to Australia.

Skippered by Cri-Zelda Brits, the only player to score a century in the Stellenbosch tournament, South Africa wreaked havoc with bowlers, Sunette Loubser (6/3) and Alicia Smith (5/7) finishing as leading wicket-takers with 11 wickets each.

Batsmen, Claire Terblanche with the highest score of 76 and Analie Minny with 73 topped the averages with 118.00 and 100.00 respectively. Olivia Anderson, Susanna Benade, Ashlyn Kilowan and Marcia Letsoalo also made good contributions with bat and ball.

After a dismal showing in the 2005 Women’s World Cup on home soil, the South Africans went back to the drawing board. Rhode was roped in as a new coach to succeed Steve Jones. Rhode is ably assisted by Kim Price and the team is managed by Zola Thamae. This appears to be a formidable management team that has taken the Proteas queens forward.

Rhode’s remarkable record stands at 14 wins in sixteen matches. He and Price want to see stability in the team which he hopes will take SA Women’s cricket to another level.

"I want to bring stability to the team and allow players to grow mentally and physically to compete against the best players in the world. Guide them to become critical thinkers of the game, and enhance their cricket awareness and skill.

"I have a good working relationship with Kim and I respect her cricket knowledge. As a former captain, she has the nick to encourage players to give their best," he concludes.

South Africa have a tour to England in the middle of the year and a planned incoming tour towards the end of the year, before they head off to Australia for the ICC Women’s World Cup, happening next March.