FIRED UP FOR NEW CAMPAIGN
Border women ready to shake things up
The Border women’s cricket team is gearing up for a big 2018-19 season as they prepare for their second consecutive year in the top tier of South African women’s provincial cricket.
The team was promoted to the top six after a successful CSA National Week last year and, despite finding the going tough at the top, performed well and continued to get better as the season progressed.
“Being promoted from the Bsection (Coastal League) to the A-section was a great moment for Border cricket,” said player/coach Angelique Taai.
“However, the quality of cricket at this level is much higher and our players were really put to the test.
“Although we were only able to win two games it was a great learning experience for our girls.”
Those wins came against Free State in a T20 clash and Easterns during a one-day match in this year’s CSA National Week.
Individual honours over the past season were aplenty for the ever improving team, with arguably the biggest being Zintle Mali’s selection for the Protea Women’s squad for the India inbound tour, followed by the South African Emerging team as well as the Proteas once again for the Bangladesh inbound tour, where she made her debut for both T20 and ODI formats.
Other highlights included Nobulumko Baneti’s selection for the South African Schools Team in 2017 and her call-up for the National Academy, and Gandhi Jafta’s selection for the South African Schools Team and National Academy, although she has now moved to study in Pretoria and is part of the Northerns set-up.
“History will also show that players such as Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta, Githe Koopman, Eloise Webb, Homba Mazaleni and Ayabonga Khaka came through our youth U19 programme and emerged further at senior provincial level and higher,” said Taai.
“Maryka Kirchoff will be emigrating to New Zealand, which is also a big loss for us, but we are proud and wish her and Khuselwa Soka, who has retired, all the best on their new journey.”
Looking on to the new season, Border will be excited to improve on their showing last season, and will be gunning for new team and individual milestones.
The squad has been hard at work over the past few months, gearing up for what should be a cracking campaign, and will be hoping to impress throughout.
“The role of the key players this season will be to make sure that they lead by example for our youngsters and share their experience they have gained over the years,” said Taai.
“The newcomers for this season are Asakhe Nyovane, Siyolise Fawuli, Cinga Mhlubulwana, Siyahluma Mabombo, Sivokuhle Copiso.
“A women’s club workshop will be held this weekend (September 9) where women’s cricket development will be discussed.
Although we were only able to win two games it was a great learning experience
“Our aim is also to introduce a T20 (IPL format) for the top 48 cricketers to ensure new talent is developed, and we invite potential sponsors to assist in any way to bring our top women’s cricketers to the forefront.”
The women’s season kicks off on October 13 and 14 against Gauteng away, before the first home fixture against North West on November 3 and 4.
Border women’s 2018-19 season squad: Shafeeqa Pillay (capt), Zintle Mali (vc), Asakhe Nyovane, Genevieve Fritz, Sivokuhle Copiso, Siyamanga Mhletywa, Nosipho Tayi, Angelique Taai, Caelin Hall, Khayakazi Mathe, Nobulumko Baneti, Cinga Mhlubulwana, Siyolise Fawuli, Chuma Qawe, Chiteme Stuurman, Siyanda Tyesi, Siyahluma Mabombo, Siphokazi Nazo.