Scoring a duck in your first Test innings is not an ideal start to a career, but at least Susan Benade was able to better her efforts second time round; promoted to open the batting she struck 51 against Netherlands to help her side secure a 159-run victory. This is her only Test to date, but she has displayed plenty of promise in the ODIs, scoring a splendid 58 against Pakistan in January 2007.

She was first called up to the national side during the 2005 World Cup in South Africa to replace the injured Tamara Reeves and she has stayed part of the squad ever since. She bowls an accurate medium pace and can bat anywhere in the top six. Her impressive domestic form during 2006 for Free State led to her being nominated for the 2006 South African Cricketer of the Year award.

In February 2008 Benade took seven wickets in five World Cup Qualifiers' games and South Africa won the tournament after beating Pakistan in the final. Both sides qualified for the World Cup to be played in Australia in 2009.
Cricinfo Staff February 2008