T&T Red Force Divas batter Shunelle Sawh credits having good mental fitness for her recent run-scoring spree. The Caldrac Achievers wicketkeeper/batter scored a record-breaking 304 not out, leading her team to a 351-run victory over AC Women at the Ben Lomond Recreation Ground in Williamsville on Sunday.
Sawh struck 53 fours and five sixes from just 143 balls and shared a 278-run partnership with Samara Ramnath, who scored 105 from 68 balls, which included 13 fours and a six.
Speaking on CNC3’s Morning Shot programme on Thursday, Sawh emphasised the importance of holistic preparation.
“While fitness is important, and I do a lot of work in terms of running, (and) gym. I think the mental aspect of the game is important, because I think being out there for so long, you get really bored. So training your mind to actually stand long innings is really important as well. So I would say that’s where I’m a bit ahead, because I did a lot of work on my mental part of the game.”
Sawh’s 304 surpassed Britney Cooper’s previous record of 190. However, the record was not on the 21-year-old Couva cricketer’s mind when she began her historic innings.
“When I got off (the record), I was having conversations with the opposing team, and someone mentioned that there’s a new record. So I was like, really? So then, I started asking questions about the previous record, and then I realised that that was actually a really big accomplishment, and it went down in history books,” said the right-hand batter.
Earlier this month, Sawh received her first call-up to the West Indies senior One Day International (ODI) team to face Sri Lanka. Although she did not take the field, she gained invaluable experience sharing a dressing room with skipper Hayley Matthews and veterans like Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin.
“Well, I’ve been to a lot of (training and preparation) camps with them (in the past), so the feeling was familiar,” she noted. “It wasn’t anything too different, wasn’t anything awkward, and they are really welcoming.”
Sawh will again feature with the West Indies team for the ODI series against Australia starting next Friday at Warner Park, St Kitts. Sawh’s wish is to see more cricket available for the women cricketers.
“Only this year, our preparation has got a lot better. But I think we need to play more challenging games, so playing against boys, I think that’s where our standard would rise,” Sawh said.
At the regional level, Sawh also wants to see improvement.
“We definitely need more games, but sponsorship has always been an issue. And we know girls coming from different islands, so it’s a bit difficult to have everybody in one area to train. So definitely more games, but hopefully more investors come into play, so that could take place.”
While the Men’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will feature a seventh franchise based in Jamaica, the women’s competition (WCPL) currently only has three. The former West Indies Under-19 captain wants to see the league expand.
“With regards to the WCPL, I would love to see another team. I mean, I’ve been called up for two years. I haven’t made my debut yet, so I’m really excited for that. Hopefully that’s in my plan, God willing.”
