They had to stay in Canada for an extra two days because of Hurricane Florence, but Bermuda?s female cricket team were not in the least bit concerned as they went on celebrating their 2-1 series win over the hosts.

The triumph means that Terry-Lyn Paynter?s girls are through to the World Cup qualifying tournament in either Ireland or Pakistan next year as the Americas? sole representative ? a considerable achievement given that there is almost no organised women?s cricket on the Island and that the Canada trip was their first overseas assignment.

A mysterious breakdown in communication between the Bermuda Cricket Board and the team?s management meant that throughout their preparations, the squad were under the impression that a series victory would give them an automatic berth in the World Cup proper in Australia in 2009.

It was only when they arrived in Canada and spoke to the opposition that they realised they were only competing for the right to qualify ? although coach Allan Douglas was quick to make light of the misunderstanding.

Bermuda lost the first one day game in Victoria, British Colombia by five wickets, as Canada successfully chased down a target of 201.

But the team responded magnificently in the remaining games, winning the second by 24 runs and the decider by a nail-biting three runs as Canada at one stage looked certain to reach Bermuda?s paltry total of 127 all out.

Britney Marshall ? daughter of former Bermuda captain Charlie Marshall ? replicated her father?s traditionally prolific form with the bat, scoring 114 runs in three visits to the crease including an unbeaten 86 not out in the second match.

Chevonne Furbert and Reuna Richardson were the side?s most successful bowlers, both taking seven wickets altogether with Furbert conceding only 50 runs from the 20 overs she completed.

Speaking shortly after the team touched down on home soil yesterday lunchtime, coach Allan Douglas praised the girls for their dedication and hard work, but stressed it was important build on the momentum.

?I?ve got to give them a lot of credit ? to come back from 1-0 down was a fantastic effort and they deserve all the praise in the world,? he said.

?The night before the final game they were all incredibly nervous ? it was probably the only time all tour when they were completely quiet!

?As each game went on though there was an improvement in their cricket across the board. We started taking our catches, and we started to bowl and bat with more discipline.

?One thing I cannot fault is their work ethic. They show up on time for training and they all are very keen to learn and improve ? it?s been a pleasure working with them and I hope it continues.

?It?s now crucial that we make sure we use what?s happened in a positive way and that we continue to grow women?s cricket in Bermuda.?

Douglas has been asked by the BCB to put together a plan for the next year, detailing what he needs in terms of time and resources to properly prepare the team for the challenges ahead.

?I sat down with the girls before we left Canada to discuss where we wanted to go and how we were going to get there and I?ve written a first draft of a report which I?m going to present to the BCB in the near future,? Douglas said.

?Obviously there are no organised women?s leagues at the moment so what I?m looking at is having some sort of Easter Classic next year where we get as many women as possible out there playing against each other and even if we can get four or five teams sorted out at least that?s a start. We?ll be looking to play in the Under-16 boys leagues as well.

?As I see it we need to be playing as much cricket as we possibly can in the lead up to the qualifying tournament and I?ll be speaking with the BCB to see how we can make it happen.

?In the short term, we?re going to take about a month off just to relax and unwind and then we?ll be looking to start spending a lot of time in the gym and having plenty of one-on-one sessions in the indoor nets working on specific skills and doing video analysis.

?Winning this series is going to open up a lot of opportunities for women?s cricket and it?s important we take advantage of them.?