Vida Tong: Hunte says SA Women will go for England's head (14 Aug 1997)

Conrad Hunte says SA women will be hunting for England's head

By Vida Tong

The SA Women's cricket team will start the second leg of their tour of Britain when they take on England at Bristol in the first of 5 one-day internationals tomorrow (Friday 15th).

Having completed a 3-0 series victory over Ireland, coach Conrad Hunte was happy with his team's progress and looking forward to their clash against the women's world champions.

"This will be the biggest test for the girls since their readmission, and only with victory against England on their own turf will we know where we really stand," Hunte said from Beckenham on Wednesday after the SA team's 5 run win over an England under-23 XI.

"We've watched videos of England's limited overs internationals against New Zealand last year and we've picked up some things in their batting and bowling that we'll be able to exploit", he said.

Hunte said that the tour, which serves as preparation for the women's World Cup in India in December, was progressing well. "What I like most is the way the women have adapted to playing on the slow, low and turning wickets. Someone has delivered the goods in every match, and the team will be potent when they all come through in a game.

"We just have to work more on the mental toughness in the close situations. The girl's performed well under pressure but they became a bit rattled when the under-23s got closer to the the target in this last match. They've come through with flying colours, but I told them one good series doesn't make them world beaters and they must take one match at a time and keep on learning," he said.

Source:: The Star