FROM ACCOUNTANCY TO CRICKET
Category General News
BILLY SUTER chats to an excited HAYLEIGH WHEELER, captain of the National Indoor Cricket Ladies' Team that will be heading for Dubai soon. The team, sponsored by the Dormehl Phalane Property Group, is to participate in the Indoor Cricket World Cup 2017 which will be held in Dubai from September 15 to 23 - an event that will see the locals competing against teams from Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Wales. The Indoor Cricket World Cup for Ladies has been held every three years since 2000, and the South African Ladies Team has reached the final five times, with one third-place finish.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING CRICKET AND WHAT FIRST GOT YOU INTERESTED IN THE GAME?
I have been playing since I was seven years old, in the back garden with my brother. I first got interested when my father entered a work team into a league at Game City in Durban, and filled in when his team was short.
DO YOU EVER FACE PEOPLE WHO THINK OF CRICKET AS A MEN-ONLY GAME AND PERHAPS OFFER SNIDE REMARKS?
Comments are always passed about ladies playing cricket, and that "she" bowls quicker than the guys. I ignore them... and just carry on trying to play my best.
WHAT POSITION DO YOU PLAY - AND WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AS A PLAYER?
I'm currently playing backstop, but prior to that I was always a leg side fielder. I would consider my strengths to be being an all-rounder. I don't really have a weakness as I enjoy every aspect of my game. However, if I was to pick, I would probably go with batting.
WHEN WERE YOU APPOINTED CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM... AND HOW WERE YOU CHOSEN? ALSO, WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES DOES BEING CAPTAIN BRING?
I was appointed as captain in May 2017. It was a decision made by our coach, Johnny Wilson. The responsibility with that selection is big and includes always keeping the girls positive, being able to read a game and adapt when needing to, and allowing the girls to express themselves constructively.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FINEST MOMENT IN A GAME? ALSO, WHAT HAS BEEN A PARTICULARLY AMUSING MOMENT IN THE PUBLIC EYE?
Ask me about my finest moment in a game later this month... my finest moment is still coming! My most amusing moment was when we did the "worm" move as a celebration when taking a wicket. It's the funniest thing.
I UNDERSTAND YOU WERE BORN IN UITENHAGE BUT MOVED TO DURBAN. WHAT IS YOUR DAY JOB?
I was based in Durban for about 20 years when my parents relocated from Port Elizabeth. I have now been in my job for the past seven years. I work as an accountant, for Imperial Motors.
WHAT VARIETY OF DAY JOBS DO OTHERS IN THE TEAM HAVE?
The ladies' jobs range from sports teachers to CA, video analyst and IT manager. We even have a biokineticist in the team.
HAVE YOU, OR OTHERS IN THE TEAM, EXPERIENCED INJURIES WHILE PLAYING CRICKET?
For eight weeks I had to nurse a torn ankle after I tripped, and about five years ago I snapped all the ligaments in my left ankle during an action cricket tournament - and was out of action for a year! Other injuries the team has experienced have ranged from sore shoulders to sore elbows, but nothing major.
WHAT COMMENTS ON THE DORMEHL PHALANE PROPERTY GROUP'S SPONSORSHIP? AND HOW MUCH DID YOU PERSONALLY HAVE TO RAISE FOR THIS TOUR?
We were each in for about R50 000, and Dormehl Phalane coming on board took a huge strain off of us, enabling the ladies to concentrate on the task at hand - winning the World Cup - instead of the strain of wondering how they were going to get the money. One can never put into words or show enough gratitude towards Owen and Tai of Dormehl Pahlane. Their sponsorship is amazing! I have no doubt we will hold their names high and with pride.
WHAT SORT OF FUNDRAISERS WERE HELD - AND HOW MUCH DID THE TEAM REQUIRE IN TOTAL?
We held weekly raffles and arranged two fundraiser evenings at The Barnyard Theatre. The ladies were absolutely amazing in this task and we had massive help from Carmen Mertens, who organised the prizes and the advertising on our Facebook page to ensure the word got out. We all pulled together and achieved the task at hand. We needed to raise R750 000 in total, to cover all costs, including training camps and kit.
HOW OFTEN HAS THE TEAM BEEN PRACTISING AND WHERE IS TRAINING HELD?
For the past two months we have been training every two weeks at Centurion Action Sports Arena. Each session is about two hours, with an hour's lunch-break in-between and the odd five-minute break.
ARE YOU ALL BASED IN JOHANNESBURG NOW, WHILE TRAINING INTENSIFIES?
We have five ladies that stay out of town, and when they are here they stay with Carmen and me in Bedfordview.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL TRAINING SESSION INVOLVE NOW THAT THE TOUR IS DRAWING CLOSE?
At least two practice matches, some bowling and batting, and different scenarios that we play out.
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR TEAM'S CHANCES ARE IN DUBAI? AND WHO ARE THE FAVOURITES TO WIN - AND WHY?
Our chances are very good, probably the best they have ever been. The odds are with Australia to win as they have always been the dominant team and come well prepared. They study players and do background research before the time.
HOW MANY TEAM MEMBERS ARE THERE - ARE YOU ALSO TAKING RESERVES?
There are eight players and we are taking four reserves with us.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT THIS TOUR - AND IS IT YOUR FIRST?
I am really looking forward to game time. I cannot wait to put on my SA kit and play with pride. I played in 2006 in the UK for a mixed team, and in the 2011 World Cup in Fourways.
WHAT DOES YOUR BETTER HALF THINK OF YOU CAPTAINING THIS TEAM?
The better half is more excited than me, if that is even possible. She is also going with us to Dubai.
WHAT OTHER SPORTS DO YOU PLAY? ALSO, WHAT HOBBIES, PASTIMES AND FAVOURITE THINGS DO YOU HAVE?
I don't really play other sports anymore - work takes up a lot of my time these days. Some of my favourite things to do are sit by bonfires, chill with my closest friends and talk rubbish. LOL.
DO TEAM MEMBERS HAVE ANY MOTTO THEY STICK TO?
We don't really have a team motto. Whatever saying we have at the time is what works. Right now we favour "#unstoppable".
IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW?
Nothing will surprise anyone. I am pretty much an open book. What you see is what you get!
ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
Just about the team... we have come a long way together and, without the likes of Johnny, Mike, Lineze and Carmen, we wouldn't be where we are now, with all the support and exposure we are getting. It is great to see how people have taken to us.
Author: Billy Suter
