The Milburn style still in evidence

There was something about the wicket-keeping style of Netherlands player Rowan Milburn that gave the game away.

Certainly her name was not Dutch.

But to those with memories long enough to stretch back to Otago cricket in the 1960s and 1970s there was the familiar crouch behind the stumps. The gloves resting on the ground as the bowler ran in and then when England lost its first wicket there was the lovely catch by a wicket-keeper standing up.

There was no doubting that the style of former New Zealand wicket-keeper Barry Milburn was in evidence in his daughter's method.

The fact that he is turning up from Australia tomorrow to see her play is something she is really looking forward to in the midst of her CricInfo Women's World Cup stint.

She hasn't seen him for 10 months since her desire to coach cricket in the Netherlands opened up a new international career for her.

It was only in May this year that representing the Netherlands became a prospect for her.

"I was coaching over there and I was asked if I would make myself available for the Netherlands. It meant that I needed to be able to fill the requirement of living there for 183.

"It wasn't looking like I was going to be playing for New Zealand. It took a little while to make a decision because there is a 12-month stand down period.

"But in the end I decided that this is experience here and now that I might not otherwise get so I decided it could be of help in my future," she said.

Her father's influence has been pronounced both from a technical point of view and in terms of her motivation.

"He has been a big help to me," she said.

Milburn also intends to be available for the Otago side after the tournament for the State Insurance Series and is looking forward to playing.

The one problem she has had with the Dutch connection is the language barrier.

"But we seem to get by all right," she said.