Bermuda Cricket Board yesterday announced a 14-player women's national squad who will represent the Island in the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa next month.

The team will play in a tough Group One alongside the hosts, the Netherlands and Papua Guinea with matches scheduled inbetween February 18-24.

Pool B will include Ireland, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Scotland.

Bermuda squad: Linda Mienzer (captain), Wendy Woodley, Reuna Richardson, Rhoda Jones, Charlene Thompson, Maryellen Jackson, Rickelle Smith, Terry-Lynn Paynter, Suzette Albouy, Arkeita Smith, Stacy Babb, Chevonne Furbert, Nicole Jones, Shuntae Todd.

On stand-by: Carol Edness, Sinshea Paynter, Stacey Jodi Simmons, Zina Jones.

Officials: Allen Douglas (head coach), Peter Philpott (assistant coach), Cinda Bobb (team manager), Herman Eve (women's director), Maureen Ryan (physio).

On announcing the squad, BCB president Reginald Pearman said in a prepared statement: "We are very pleased that the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers are confirmed and are now going ahead.

"I am pleased to see the squad get the opportunity to experience women's cricket at a higher level. As a country in the infant stages of women's cricket, it is a unique opportunity for our women cricketers and coaching staff to learn from those countries that have an experienced and developed programme, particularly from the larger full member Test nations.

"We understand the level of play will be much higher compared to what they have faced previously. However, I am confident they will represent Bermuda admirably and learn a lot from the experience. I look forward to the continued growth of women's cricket in Bermuda at the national level and I hope this tournament will provide another boost to our flourishing grass roots level programme."