Clive Lloyd tells West Indies not to be over-owed by the big teams in the event
Graeme Smith says Proteas to follow South Africa’s Sydney progress
Australia’s World Cup winning captains Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting have sent good-luck messages to Karen Rolton’s side which will be aiming to win the ICC Women’s World Cup for the sixth time.
ICC Hall of Famer Allan Border, who captained Australia to the first of its four ICC Cricket World Cup titles, hopes the players will give their best performances.
“If I had one piece of advice for the players it would be this: the World Cup is the pinnacle of any career and you may only get one chance to play in it and win it,” said Border.
“So on that basis, just make sure you leave no stone unturned, get your preparations right and leave nothing in the locker room. There is no point in having regrets after the event.”
Border, who played 156 Tests and 273 ODIs scoring 11,174 and 6,524 runs, said the World Cup was the right event to generate momentum for women’s cricket. “I like the way things are heading with the women’s game with the closer ties to the men.
“The fact that seven matches are also going to be televised is exciting because that will give the players and the ICC a great shop window to sell the sport to the world. It is all about generating momentum for women’s cricket and the World Cup will play a key role in getting the ball rolling.”
Steve Waugh, who played in 168 Tests and 325 ODIs and steered Australia to victory in the 1999 World Cup, said: “I’d urge the girls to be positive in their approach and everything they do. It’s all about challenging the opposition and getting them out of their comfort zones by doing things they don’t want you to do.
“I’d also tell the players to enjoy the whole experience. Playing in a World Cup is the ultimate honour, there are plenty of others who would love to get that chance, and so they should take it all in.
“This is the girls’ chance to really take the game to a higher level than it’s been before, thanks to the global exposure they’ll get from television coverage of matches, and the best way to do that is by playing cricket that’s exciting and draws people in.
“It’s a great time for the women’s game with a World Twenty20 later in the year and these players can really be standard bearers for the future of the sport.”
Waugh’s successor Ricky Ponting, who inspired Australia to World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007, also wished Karen Rolton and her side best of luck. “On behalf of the Australia cricket team I would like to wish Karen and her players every success for the ICC Women’s World Cup. We will certainly be supporting them while we are in South Africa.
“If I can offer Karen any advice at all, it would be to stick to what she has been doing so successfully in the past. Under Karen’s leadership the side has been a very powerful unit and I am sure if she continues to do what she knows works, the team will again be very difficult to beat.
“There is always a bigger picture than just winning in any event you play. The World Cup is about testing yourself against the world’s best opposition and playing the best cricket possible by a group of players in your squad.”
ICC Hall of Famer and former captain Clive Lloyd, who powered the West Indies to successive World Cup victories in 1975 and 1979, believes the West Indies has the talent to cause a few surprises.
“The West Indies women have to go into the tournament with a winning approach. Obviously, there will be shortcomings but they need to back themselves and believe that they can cause upsets,” said Lloyd, who is chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee.
“They shouldn’t be daunted by the task of playing against formidable teams like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the first round. If they prove to be quick learners, I have all the reasons to believe that they will surprise a few people,” Lloyd said.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said: “I know we’ll be following their progress and supporting them while they’re in Australia and when it comes to the ICC World Twenty20 when they’ll be around in England when we are, we’ll be sure to be sharing tips and giving them even more backing.
“I think their goals should be to play their games with 100 per cent commitment and remember the other teams are in the spotlight. The key for South Africa ladies could be to go along under the radar in order to cause an upset further down the line.
“I think enjoying the games will always bring some sort of success. It’s a huge opportunity for them and feather in their cap to have made it into the tournament, so I think they should make the most of the tournament and the memories it will bring them.”
Graeme Smith says Proteas to follow South Africa’s Sydney progress
Australia’s World Cup winning captains Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting have sent good-luck messages to Karen Rolton’s side which will be aiming to win the ICC Women’s World Cup for the sixth time.
ICC Hall of Famer Allan Border, who captained Australia to the first of its four ICC Cricket World Cup titles, hopes the players will give their best performances.
“If I had one piece of advice for the players it would be this: the World Cup is the pinnacle of any career and you may only get one chance to play in it and win it,” said Border.
“So on that basis, just make sure you leave no stone unturned, get your preparations right and leave nothing in the locker room. There is no point in having regrets after the event.”
Border, who played 156 Tests and 273 ODIs scoring 11,174 and 6,524 runs, said the World Cup was the right event to generate momentum for women’s cricket. “I like the way things are heading with the women’s game with the closer ties to the men.
“The fact that seven matches are also going to be televised is exciting because that will give the players and the ICC a great shop window to sell the sport to the world. It is all about generating momentum for women’s cricket and the World Cup will play a key role in getting the ball rolling.”
Steve Waugh, who played in 168 Tests and 325 ODIs and steered Australia to victory in the 1999 World Cup, said: “I’d urge the girls to be positive in their approach and everything they do. It’s all about challenging the opposition and getting them out of their comfort zones by doing things they don’t want you to do.
“I’d also tell the players to enjoy the whole experience. Playing in a World Cup is the ultimate honour, there are plenty of others who would love to get that chance, and so they should take it all in.
“This is the girls’ chance to really take the game to a higher level than it’s been before, thanks to the global exposure they’ll get from television coverage of matches, and the best way to do that is by playing cricket that’s exciting and draws people in.
“It’s a great time for the women’s game with a World Twenty20 later in the year and these players can really be standard bearers for the future of the sport.”
Waugh’s successor Ricky Ponting, who inspired Australia to World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007, also wished Karen Rolton and her side best of luck. “On behalf of the Australia cricket team I would like to wish Karen and her players every success for the ICC Women’s World Cup. We will certainly be supporting them while we are in South Africa.
“If I can offer Karen any advice at all, it would be to stick to what she has been doing so successfully in the past. Under Karen’s leadership the side has been a very powerful unit and I am sure if she continues to do what she knows works, the team will again be very difficult to beat.
“There is always a bigger picture than just winning in any event you play. The World Cup is about testing yourself against the world’s best opposition and playing the best cricket possible by a group of players in your squad.”
ICC Hall of Famer and former captain Clive Lloyd, who powered the West Indies to successive World Cup victories in 1975 and 1979, believes the West Indies has the talent to cause a few surprises.
“The West Indies women have to go into the tournament with a winning approach. Obviously, there will be shortcomings but they need to back themselves and believe that they can cause upsets,” said Lloyd, who is chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee.
“They shouldn’t be daunted by the task of playing against formidable teams like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the first round. If they prove to be quick learners, I have all the reasons to believe that they will surprise a few people,” Lloyd said.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said: “I know we’ll be following their progress and supporting them while they’re in Australia and when it comes to the ICC World Twenty20 when they’ll be around in England when we are, we’ll be sure to be sharing tips and giving them even more backing.
“I think their goals should be to play their games with 100 per cent commitment and remember the other teams are in the spotlight. The key for South Africa ladies could be to go along under the radar in order to cause an upset further down the line.
“I think enjoying the games will always bring some sort of success. It’s a huge opportunity for them and feather in their cap to have made it into the tournament, so I think they should make the most of the tournament and the memories it will bring them.”
ICC Media Release
Sunday, March 01, 2009 11:43:07 AM
No comments:
Post a Comment