All coming up roses for Border side

IT HAS been an impressive past week for the Border Women’s team after they sealed their place in the top six for the 2018-19 season, while also seeing two of their players included in the South African emerging squad for the tri-series against the England and Australian Women academy teams.

In last week’s inter-provincials the Border team did well, despite rain disrupting a lot of the play to almost make the semifinals and make sure that they remained in the top six for the coming season.

“We just missed out on the semifinals by net run-rate. It was really close and I thought we did well,” said Border women player/coach Angelique Taai.

“It is great for our development that we stay in the top six. The more you play against the best teams the more the players get tested and become more capable, so it is really good for the future of Border cricket and we look forward to the new season.”

Two players were then confirmed in the SA emerging squad for what should be a tough tri-series against the academies from England and Australia.

Zintle Mali, who was recently picked in the Proteas women’s team and up-and-coming talent Gandhi Jafta will both be looking to make their mark over the coming weeks.

“It is fully deserved and shows the hard work that they put in over the past season,” said Taai.

“It is exciting for us. We have much more to offer and some exciting prospects coming through.

“At the moment Gandhi is going for a difficult patch, but I believe she will come through and show her talent. And Zintle was brilliant for us throughout the season. She was even selected for the Proteas, and I believe she will continue her good form in the emerging series. Also in the squad are two former Border players, Anneke Bosch and Sinalo Jafta, showing some of the exciting talent that comes through the region.”

The series was supposed to start on Tuesday with the SA emerging team against the England Academy. However, the game was cancelled due to the sudden passing of emerging squad and Western Province women’s coach, Cobus Roodt.

The series thus starts tomorrow with the England and Australia academies taking on each other, while the SA emerging team takes on Australia on Saturday.