Windies Mohammed named in ICC team of the decade

WEST Indies women’s cricketer Anisa Mohammed said she was surprised to be named in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s One-Day International team of the decade announced in London, on Monday.

Mohammed, 32, told the TT Cricket Board (TTCB) that it was a good feeling and although the accolade was unexpected it was a huge honour to be included among some of the most elite names in the international women’s game.

Also named by the ICC was West Indies 50-Over and T20 captain Kieron Pollard on the T20 men’s team of the decade. The big-hitting Pollard was recently picked to lead the Red Force in the upcoming Cricket West Indies Regional Super50 Cup in Antigua.

Mohammed is currently the captain of the women’s Red Force Divas team and vice-captain of the West Indies side.

The Sangre Grande native, who may be better known for her T20 exploits, said she thought that her more impressive statistics in the 50-Overs format for the West Indies may have given her the edge.

In the period under review by the ICC, Mohammed has taken 116 of her 151 ODI wickets in 87 matches for an average of just under 20, placing her fourth on the all-time list of dismissals. She is also the first West Indian to capture 100 ODI wickets.

She said that her most memorable performance was a spectacular haul of seven wickets for 14 runs playing for the West Indies against Pakistan in Bangladesh in the 2011 World Cup qualifiers. That year was clearly a milestone in her career as she finished with 37 ODI wickets, the most in a calendar year. In the process Mohammed erased the long-standing record held by Australian Charmaine Mason set in 2000.

Mohammed also has the distinction of being adjudged ODI player of the match ten times and has been awarded player of the series twice, at home, and away.

On Wednesday, Mohammed paid tribute to the TTCB and the TT Women’s Cricket Association (TTWCA) for their unwavering support which helped her establish herself as one of the superstars of the women’s game.

She said that Ann Browne-John, vice-president of the TTWCA has provided encouragement and motivation since she made her debut on the national stage as a 14-year-old and continues to be counted on for help and advice.

Mohammed also said that national women’s team manager Majorie Thomas has also played a great role in seeking after her welfare with a concern about her general wellbeing and cricket career.

In response to the cricketer’s latest recognition by the world organization, TTWCA boss Gayle Daniel-Worrell said she was elated on the accomplishment and described Mohammed as an ambassador of local and regional cricket who is a role model for young people.

“We are quite happy Anisa has received this award which she has thoroughly earned through her performance over the period under the ICC review,” Daniel-Worrell said.

President of the TTCB Azim Bassarath also extended his congratulations to Mohammed. He described her as one of the great success stories of local cricket which continues to produce players of exceptional quality capable of taking their place on the world stage by sheer talent, hard work and determination.

He also said the TTCB was very pleased that Red Force captain Kieron Pollard was voted on the ICC men’s T20 international team of the decade which he said came as no surprise as the power-hitting all-rounder has been internationally acknowledged as one the world’s leading cricketers in the shorter formats of the game.

“In both Anisa and Kieron we have two outstanding human beings who make all citizens of TT proud and continue to set the standard in cricket for generations to come,” said Bassarath.