Cricket West Indies (CWI) bid farewell to four distinguished players on January 18, marking the end of an era in women’s cricket. Anisa Mohammed, with a remarkable career spanning over two decades, emerged as a pivotal figure in the West Indies team since her debut at the age of 15 in 2003.
The right-arm off-spinner’s legacy includes 141 ODIs and 117 T20Is, boasting an impressive tally of 305 wickets. In 2016, Mohammed achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first player, irrespective of gender, to secure 100 wickets in T20I cricket.
Shakera Selman, a formidable right-arm pacer, made her mark since her international debut in 2008. Across 196 games in both ODIs and T20Is, Selman consistently delivered exceptional performances, amassing 133 wickets.
The Knight twins, Kycia and Kyshona, have left an indelible mark on West Indies women’s cricket since their debuts in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Kycia Knight, a skilled wicketkeeper, set records in Women’s T20Is, including the most dismissals and stumpings in a single innings, and tying the record for most catches. Her illustrious career includes 157 matches and a total of 2128 runs.
Kyshona Knight, a talented left-handed batter, contributed significantly with 1397 runs in her 106-match career. Her batting prowess proved crucial in various international fixtures.
The retirement of these four players not only signifies the loss of seasoned athletes but also marks the conclusion of a chapter in West Indies women’s cricket. Their contributions were not only instrumental in the team’s successes, including the historic 2016 ICC Women’s T20I World Cup victory in India, but they have also paved the way for the next generation of cricketers.
The legacies of Mohammed, Selman, and the Knight twins will undoubtedly inspire aspiring cricketers in the Caribbean and beyond. As they exit the international stage, the cricketing world acknowledges their immense contributions and wishes them well in their future endeavors.