Australia to take on world number four - Oz women

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 4/9/07 8:35:11 PM 
From:  "DiAnne Lilburn" <dianne.lilburn(at)softball.org.au> 


Subject:  Australia to take on world number four  


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Media Release
10 April 2007

Australia to take on world number four

Softball Australia is pleased to announce a six game women’s
national team test series against China. The first of the two-part
series between Australia and China will take place in Brisbane
from 13-14 April 2007 to coincide with the opening of the new
Redlands softball grounds. 
 
Natalie Ward (New South Wales), Australia’s most capped female
player, will lead the World number 3 ranked Australian side as
they take on the number 4 ranked China in their first time back
on the diamond since qualifying for the 2008 Olympics at the
2006 World Championship. 
 
It was there that the two teams last met with Australia defeating
China 1-0 to advance into the Bronze Meal match against the USA
through a home run from Stacey Porter.  
 
Australian Coach Fabian Barlow said that “this series will be
a great indicator for where we are at as a team 16 months out
from Beijing and also provide an opportunity for the athletes
to continue their strong domestic form and show that they can
raise it to the international level that the China team will
demand of us.”
 
It’s been a tough competition between Australia and China having
played each other 75 times with Australia winning 45 of them.
China’s strength still remains in both offence and defense play
and Australia will have to respond with error free games. 
 
Australia’s pitchers will bring the power to the mound through
Jocelyn McCallum (Queensland), Felicity Witt (New South Wales)
who returns after a two year absence, and Zara Mee (New South
Wales) who has shown some positive signs since her return from
an extended break. 
 
Australia will miss the powerhouse hitting of Stacey Porter who
is unavailable because of her Macerata Softball Club (Italy)
commitments, but Barlow remains confident that our world class
hitters have the power that can provide Australia with the runs
throughout the series. 
 
“I am confident that despite not having a player like Stacey
available to select for this series there are still quality international
hitters throughout our line up with Tracey Mosley (Queensland),
Sandy Allen (Queensland) and Nat Ward (New South Wales) just
to name a few.” concluded Mr Barlow. 
 
Chelsea Forkin, an Under 19 Australian player who has been involved
in the game for just over two years, has been selected into the
Australia squad and will also bring good hitting power into the
team.
 
Alison Bourne from the Australian Under 19 national team has
been included in the squad to help with her preparations for
the world championship. 
 
The Queensland State team will play the China National team in
three exhibition games prior to the international series. 
 
The last of the two-part series will be held in Sydney from 20-21
April 2007. As build up for this series the China team will play
the NSW State team as well as the Australian Under 19 Women’s
team which will also double up as preparation for their International
Softball Federations Junior World Championship. 
 
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW
Fabian Barlow, Head Coach
Players
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
_____________________________________
DiAnne Lilburn
National Communications Coordinator
SoftballAustralia
Suite 4, Ground Floor
38-40 Prospect Street
Box Hill, Victoria3128

T: +61 3 9890 8200
F: +61 3 9890 8295
M: +61 (0) 405 509 674

For more information visit www.softball.org.au

 

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