
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Shakera Selman is set to reach a special milestone in her career when she plays in her 50th One-Day International on Sunday. The lively seam bowler is expected to use the new ball when West Indies Women face New Zealand Women in the first ODI at Sabina Park.
First ball is 9 am (10 am Eastern Caribbean Time).
“To reach 50 matches for the West Indies is a major milestone …I’m really looking forward to playing the match,” Selman said.
“When I started I never looked at milestones, all I wanted to do is stay in team and represent West Indies to best of my ability. It has come quickly…and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it so far.”
The 24-year-old Barbados captain started playing for the Windies during the 2008 European tour. She has been a key member of the team since then and has represented the side in two World Cups – 2009 in Australia when the Windies placed fifth and 2013 in India when they reached the Final.
Selman is the premier seam bowler in an attack built around spin. In her 49 appearances she has taken 33 wickets at an average of just over 26 runs per wicket and a very impressive economy rate of 3.13 runs per over.
“I’ve used the new ball since I came into the team and that’s a role I enjoy. I will be expected to use the new ball here in Jamaica and look to get early wickets up front and build pressure on the New Zealand batters,” she said.
“We will be starting quite early in the morning here, so I think I might be able to get some swing as well as movement off the seam. I’m a natural swing bowler, so my job will be to get the early wickets and keep things tight.
“I bowled a bit with the old ball in warm-up matches so I might have to use the old ball as well. Whatever I’m asked to do I’m ready for the job. It would be great to get some wickets and win in my 50th match for West Indies.”
The West Indies have been in camp in Jamaica and Selman said the World Number 2 team are ready for the first assignment on Sunday.
“Everyone is geared up for the first match. We have been here for a while preparing to face New Zealand. This is the first time we are playing in Jamaica, as a team, and we want to make an immediate impression,” Selman explained.
“We have been progressing very well – we played some great cricket in the World Cup and then went to Sri Lanka and beat them – so we believe we have the skills to beat New Zealand here in our home conditions.”
FULL SQUAD
Merissa Aguilleira (Captain/Wicket-keeper)
Shemaine Campbelle
Shanel Daley
Deandra Dottin
Kycia Knight
Kyshona Knight
Natasha McLean
Anisa Mohammed
Subrina Munroe
Shaquana Quintyne
Tremayne Smartt
Shakera Selman
Stafanie Taylor
Schedule of matches
October
NEW ZEALAND TO WEST INDIES
(All matches start at 9 a.m. local time)
Sun 6: 1st One-day International – Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Tue 8: 2nd One-day International – Sabina Park
Thu 10: 3rd One-day International – Sabina Park