Taking on the boys

As preparations for a World Cup go, this is one of the more unusual ones - entering an Under-16 boys' league. But that's what Bermuda women have done, as they aim to succeed in the qualifying tournament in Pakistan this November.

The Bermuda board has entered the side into a men's evening league alongside the national under-16 boys' league ahead of the qualifiers for the 2009 World Cup in Australia. There are two spots up for grabs among eight teams, including South Africa and Pakistan.

The move comes following a recommendation from Ann Browne-John, the former West Indies women coach, who suggested that the women needed to compete regularly.

The Bermuda coach, Allan Douglas, told The Bermuda Sun: "This is just what we have been looking for. Cricket for women is very new to Bermuda and so this will give us the opportunity to show the public that we are serious and play serious cricket." Douglas co-ordinates two practice sessions a week, as well as one gym visit.

One of the rising stars of Bermuda is 15-year-old Reuna Richardson. A spirited allrounder, she had this warning for the boys: "They'd better watch out because I think we can show them up. I think they will be surprised."

But she knows that qualification in Pakistan will not come easily. "I think about it a lot. I'm a bit nervous. I think it's going to be hard. We are going to have to do a lot of work between now and then to get better."