KARACHI, Pakistan, (CMC) - St Lucia’s Nadine George created history yesterday when she became the first West Indian to score a Test century in women’s cricket in the one-off Test against Pakistan.
George was undefeated on 100 and shared a century partnership with compatriot Verena Felicien, who scored 55, to help West Indies reach 229 for four in their second innings, following on after being led on first innings by 279.
“It feels great and I am very happy to have achieved this milestone,” the soft-spoken George told CMC Radio Sports.
“The coach asked me to stay with it and from the beginning I just played the bowling on its merit. They bowled mostly their spin bowlers for the day and Shaiza Khan had done plenty of damage in the first innings, so I just played her out.”
Khan had ripped the heart out of the West Indies’ batting with seven for 29 as the visitors crumbled for 147 in their first innings, replying to Pakistan’s 426 for seven declared.
“This tour has really been an eye-opener for us all, particularly facing up to the spin bowlers,” George said.
“We do not have many spin bowlers in the Caribbean and facing up to it here will help us in the long run as we prepare for the International Women’s Cricket Council World Cup in South Africa next year.”
George does not want her innings to end with the achievement of a hundred. She is determined to claim the world record of 242 set on the previous day of the match by Pakistani Kiran Baluch.
“We are looking to get a lead of between 100 and 150, and see if we cannot put some pressure on them and force a win,” George said.
“Therefore, I do not only want to become the first West Indian to score a Test century in women’s cricket, but I also want the world record.”
Windies women’s coach Ann Browne-John believes George’s achievement will bring greater recognition for women’s cricket in the region.
“I think it’s good for women’s cricket in the Caribbean,” she remarked.
“We have been working really hard to help women’s cricket gain recognition. Only two weeks ago, the Trinidad & Tobago Women’s Cricket Board was voted the most outstanding sporting organisation for 2003.
“All of this has been coming our way because of the work that we have been doing for women’s cricket in the Caribbean and it manifested itself in Nadine’s performance.”
Browne-John believes George can be rated among the best in the world, if more opportunities come her way and the St Lucian applies herself.
“Nadine is really a prolific batter and when we were in India, prior to coming to Pakistan, I heard people calling the names of an Indian player and even an Australian as being the best batter in women’s cricket,” she said.
“I told Nadine once she bats the way we know she can bat, I cannot see anyone else having that title bestowed upon them because she is really, really good.”