TKR profile: Lee-Ann Kirby brings experience, power

LEE-ANN Kirby, 36, is certainly a player who can make a difference for the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) as they seek to win a second consecutive Massy Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) title.

TKR will play at least three matches in Trinidad during the 2023 WCPL and Kirby, who is Trinidadian, will aim to impress in front the home fans.

Kirby, who has been playing for the TT Red Force Divas for more than 15 years, is expected to keep the scoreboard ticking for TKR along with captain Deandra Dottin, Britney Cooper and the South African pair of Mignon du Preez and Dane van Niekerk.

Kirby may not have played for West Indies women as much as she would have liked since making her debut in 2008, but she has shown quality especially as a power hitter.

The right-handed batter will be aiming for conistency this year.

In last year's CPL opener, Kirby struck three fours and two sixes in her innings of 30 off 30 balls which helped TKR defeat Barbados Royals by one run. Kirby will bring variety to TKR's bowling attack with her ability to bowl medium pace. In the same match against the Royals, Kirby grabbed 2/32 in four overs.

Kirby has kept positive people around her which has contributed to her success. In an interview with Newsday in 2020, after being recalled to the West Indies team for the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup, she thanked her family, national women's coach Kelvin Williams and her team-mates for keeping her motivated.

TKR will hope to lift the trophy in front their home fans as the final of the WCPL will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba at 4 pm, on September 10.