Just when it seemed Bermuda's performance on the international cricket stage couldn't get any worse . . . it just did.

The national women's team, representing a sport which doesn't even boast a domestic league, heaped more embarrassment on Bermuda with what is believed to be the heaviest defeat ever recorded in international competition.

Playing hosts South Africa in their opening match of the Women's World Cup at Stellenbosch University yesterday, Bermuda were skittled out for just 13 runs, of which 10 were extras!

South Africa needed less than one over to reach their target, completing the annihilation off just four 'legal' balls.

While many countries have suffered 10-wicket defeats, it's understood this was the most comprehensive in living memory.

Eight Bermuda players failed to get off the mark, and the three that did only managed a single each.

Thanks to nine wides and a no ball, the total finally reached double figures.

Having booked their ticket to the World Cup finals by winning the Americas regional qualifying tournament in Canada last year, the ladies have had few chances to hone their skills since.

Premier Ewart Brown sent these words of encouragement to the team before yesterday's match: "As you climb the world stage, you have the support of your country under your feet.

"In exchange for our support, we expect an exemplary effort.

"Work hard. Be proud. Stand tall."

Several newspapers in the UK picked up on the mind-boggling defeat and published sarcastic reports, but the most scathing account of the match appeared on the highly-respected website Cricinfo.

"Bermuda's women carved an unwanted niche in the international record books with one of the most abject performances in the game's history," said Cricinfo.

"Bermuda's men haven't made much of a positive impact in the game either - 11 months ago, they conceded 413 for five against India in the World Cup and lost by 257 runs, the biggest margin in one-day history.

"But their women have just lowered the bar by several notches.

"They crawled to seven for two after 10 overs, but that represented the high-water mark.

"By the time drinks were taken after 15.5 overs they were 13 for seven and had lost their 42-year-old captain, Linda Mienzer, for a determined one off 48 deliveries. Such was the confusion that when play resumed the batsmen returned to the wrong ends.

"The last three wickets failed to add to the score as South African bowler Sunette Loubser finished with six for three, including five for one in 12 balls.

"Terry-Lynn Paynter opened Bermuda's attack but struggled to find the strip, conceding nine wides and a no-ball. Olivia Anderson did manage to reach one, which she dispatched for four.

"Anderson scored 50 percent of the runs scored off the bat in the match, and 80 percent of her side's runs.

"Afterwards, Mienzer tried desperately to put a positive gloss on the performance. 'I am extremely proud and our team is very proud to be here. Just a year and a half ago there was no women's programme so we went to Canada and qualified to come here which is an achievement in itself.'

'In terms of women's cricket in Bermuda, it has come a long way but we still have a long way to go'."

Officials from Bermuda Cricket Board and Sports Minister El James failed to return calls when contacted yesterday.

WOMEN'S WORLD

CUP QUALIFIER

Bermuda v South Africa

South Africa won by ten wickets at Stellenbosch University:

Bermuda

L.Mienzer (capt) c Minnie b Loubser 1

W.Woodley cwk Chetty b Smith 0

S.Albouy lbw Smith 0

M.Jackson lbw Benade 1

T.Paynter lbw Loubser 0

R.Richardson stwk Chetty b Loubser 0

R.Smith c Letsoalo b Loubser 1

N.Jones b Loubser 0

A.Smith b Benade 0

C.Furbert not out 0

S.Todd b Loubser 0

Extras (2-b, 7-w, 1nb) 10

Total (all out, 18 overs) 13

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-7, 3-9, 4-12, 5-12, 6-13, 7-13, 8-13, 9-13, 10-13

Bowling: D.Denarain 5-2-6-0; A.Smith 5-4-1-2; S.Benade 4-3-1-2; S.Loubser 4-1-3-6.

South Africa

O.Anderson not out 4

C.Terblanche not out 1

Extras (9w, 1nb) 10

Total (without loss, 0.4 overs) 15

Bowling: T.Paynter 0.4-0-15- 0