Women's cricket debut tipped

Former Wairarapa College all-rounder Jessie Bennett could force her way into the Central Districts Hinds women's team for their national Twenty20 and one-day limited overs campaigns in 2010-11.
Now attending Massey University, Bennett is seen by Masterton-based Hinds coach Doug Bracewell as a "strong possibility" to make her debut for a side which will start as defending champions in both forms of the game.
"She (Bennett) is right up there ... she has the skills to do a decent job for us," he said.
It is Bennett's ability to bowl at a lively medium pace which probably holds most appeal for Bracewell as he searches for replacements for White Ferns Rachel Candy and Abby Burrows, who both had huge success with the new ball for the Hinds last season. Candy is transferring to Canterbury, while Burrows is injured.
Also a handy middle to lower order batswoman, Bennett has played cricket at age group level for Wellington and has also made a huge impact in rugby. She has played for Eketahuna on the club scene, and Manawatu and Wellington at provincial level.
Bracewell intends to name a 13-strong Hinds squad next Monday after watching Taranaki play Hawke's Bay in Wanganui over the weekend.
He already has "about eight" players in the certainty category barring injuries and included among them would be top order batswoman Esther Lanser, who has just returned from an overseas stint which included playing cricket in Holland. She is currently residing in Carterton.
Bracewell is confident his side will be competitive in the two national competitions, which for the Hinds kicks off on December when they face Otago in Invercargill. But he is under no illusions about the job in front of them if they are to successfully defend their titles.
"Frankly I'd have to say we are probably going to be a little weaker in some areas than we were last season and everything will depend on how well we cover any deficiencies we might have," he said. "The challenge is looking bigger than it was 12 months ago but we're still in with a good chance, no doubt about that."
It follows, of course, that if the Hinds are anywhere near as successful this season as they were last, then Bracewell would have to be in line for higher honours, especially since he travelled to Australia with the White Ferns in 2009-10 as a video analyst.
Bracewell deflects such sentiments by saying his main priority is for the Hinds to perform up to their potential.
"Right now, I'm not looking any further ahead than that," he said.
Meanwhile, the North and South Island teams for a best of three Twenty20 women's series at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Dunedin on December 4 and 5 have been named. Four Hinds players are in the North Island side, along with former Wairarapa player Liz Perry, a member of the White Ferns last season who now plays for Wellington.
The teams are - North Island: Aimee Watkins (Central Hinds, captain), Kate Broadmore (Central Hinds), Nicola Browne (Northern Spirit), Rachel Candy (Central Hinds), Sophie Devine (Wellington Blaze), Natalie Dodd (Northern Spirit), Lucy Doolan (Wellington Blaze), Victoria Lind (Auckland Hearts), Sara McGlashan (Central Hinds), Morna Nielsen (Northern Spirit), Katie Perkins (Auckland Hearts), Liz Perry (Wellington Blaze), Sian Ruck (Wellington Blaze). Coach: Maia Lewis (Auckland Hearts).
South Island: Suzie Bates (Otago Sparks) captain, Erin Bermingham (Canterbury Magicians), Amber Boyce (Canterbury Magicians), Janet Brehau (Canterbury Magicians), Emma Campbell (Otago Sparks), Maria Fahey (Canterbury Magicians), Frances Mackay (Canterbury Magicians), Katey Martin (Otago Sparks), Michelle Mitchell (Canterbury Magicians), Amy Satterthwaite (Canterbury Magicians), Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury Magicians), Sarah Tsukigawa (Otago Sparks). Coach: Nathan King (Otago Sparks).