Otago golden girl Suzie Bates insists her stint for the Southland Pearls will not affect her availability for the Gold Rush.
Bates, who has recently returned from England after representing the White Ferns at the world twenty/20 championship, played for Southland during a South Island second division qualifying tournament in Blenheim over the weekend.
The Tall Ferns guard said she received assurances from Pearls coach Richard Dickel it would not interfere with her eligibility to play for Otago in the second round of the Women's Basketball Championship in Dunedin this week.
"It is just a one off, really," although she said there was no reason why she could not play for Southland in the future if it did not clash with Otago or national commitments.
Bates added 10 points to help the Pearls thrash Mid Canterbury 97-36 in their opening game.
While she has been playing some club basketball in Dunedin, the second division was a step up and was a great opportunity to clock some more court time.
"My focus has been on cricket this year so it was good to get some basketball in," she said, adding she was keen to wear the Tall Ferns' black singlet again.
After the international twenty/20 tournament, Bates stayed on in the United Kingdom and took the opportunity to visit some family there.
