Anderson sets sights on England

Olivia Anderson is gearing up for a tough tour of England this summer © ICC

Operating the sightscreen is not the usual way of inspiring a young girl to play international cricket, but for 20-year-old Olivia Anderson, it was her route to taking up the game.

Having been one of the star players at the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Stellenbosch earlier in the year, the South African now heads to England determined to build on her blossoming reputation as a potential international star.

“I always used to go with my Dad to Centurion to watch the South African men play and I don’t how it started but I started controlling the sightscreen, pressing the button to make a change,” said Anderson.

“Every over, after I had pressed the button, I would run down and check that it has changed. I think that is where my love of the game began.

“I also saw Darryl Cullinan score his record score and he became my favourite player and I started playing when I saw South Africa needed 12 runs to win off two balls and Lance Klusener hit two sixes. That actually inspired me and I asked my Dad to take me to play.”

Her 46 not out against Ireland in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier semi-final, which sealed South Africa’s place in Australia in 2009, showed genuine class, which came on the back of a fantastic season which saw her score 590 runs in provincial matches and 144 at the qualifying event – a South African women’s record for runs in a domestic season.

As the youngest member of the side, Anderson giggles when asked if her teammates looked after her at the tournament, but speaks fondly about her experiences.

“No! They picked on me! They tied me up in my room and they made me carry a dummy around as they think that I talk too much.

“They also made me do all the horrible jobs but I don’t mind too much. It’s all part of being part of a team.

“Usually I’d been playing against these people and it was the first time I’d been in a team with them. It was really great getting to know the different personalities and batting with people you usually only get to play against.”

She is already full of excitement ahead of the tour of England, which will see South Africa play ODI matches against Ireland and England, especially as she has experience of European conditions having played a summer of club cricket in Ireland last year.

“I am looking forward to the England tour,” says Anderson. “This will be my first overseas tour with the national side and I'm extremely excited to be a part of such an important one.

“Most of all I can't wait to test my skills with the bat against the best side in the world on some of the most amazing grounds and hopefully steer my side into winning positions.”

Anderson is a thoughtful cricketer and loves nothing more than relaxing on the beach, walking her dog, which gives her time to reflect on her cricketing experiences and look ahead to a big year in 2009.

“I think a lot about my future because I didn’t think that I was very naturally talented at cricket,” she said.

“I think when I started most people thought of me as a bit of a clot and they used to laugh at me when I threw as I used to have a really girlish throw – I think I still do but I have worked on that.

“I’ve always wanted to prove them wrong and I have worked really hard on my game and spent hours and hours getting fitter and becoming less clumsy, so I spend a lot of my time thinking about how I can improve.
“To get through the pain when I am running I think I will get a fifty in my next innings.”

And although the tour of England will be the priority in the short-term, already she is looking ahead to the ICC Women’s World Cup in Australia and walking out for the first match.

“It’ll be nerve wracking but it will also be the proudest moment of my life and it will be like a dream come true,” said Anderson.