ICC's Women's Committee Chair Clare Connor previews the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011

On this week's edition of the ICC Cricket World radio show, ICC's Women's Committee Chair Clare Connor previews the 10-team ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier which starts in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from Monday next.

Connor, represented England's women's cricket team in 16 Tests, 93 ODIs and two T20Is from 1995 to 2005, says: "The ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011 in Bangladesh is going to be an exciting tournament. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has invested a lot in it which is a massive plus for women's cricket.


"The strong teams are South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies while Bangladesh will have a home advantage."

Explaining the format, Connor, who is also a member of ICC's Cricket Committee, says: "The top two sides, excluding Sri Lanka and West Indies, from the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier will qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 2012. So, it is hugely exciting for the 10 sides to play in Bangladesh and there is a lot to play for.

"The ICC Women's Committee is looking to maximise passion for cricket in Asia. It is a huge time to build on the huge enthusiasm for the game in Asia. Globally, women's teams have similar tournaments to men's teams. It is exciting times for the women's games and we are looking forward to some great events in Asia over the next 18 months."

Also on the show, Netherlands' women's cricket team captain Helmien Rambaldo talks about her side's preparations and chances.

Rambaldo, who will celebrate her 31st birthday a day before the start of the tournament, says: "We have been training intensely for the last six weeks. The weather is different here so we have been indoors. We have working on our skills and fitness and working together as a unit.

"It will mean a lot for us if we qualify for the World Cup. If we get a chance to play the World Cup, it will be great for the country and for women's cricket. It will be a great opportunity and a great success if we play the World Cup."

The show can be used in whole or part by radio stations that want free cricket content for editorial use, while the public can also download it straight from www.icc-cricket.com or from iTunes.

In other interviews on the show, India and West Indies captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Darren Sammy, respectively, reflect on the first Test of the series in New Delhi while Pakistan and Sri Lanka captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Tillekeratne Dilshan, respectively, look ahead to the five-match ODI series which starts in Dubai on Friday.

Apart from these interviews, there is the usual round-up of cricketing news and an update of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings.

From: http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net