LEICESTER, England (CMC) – Teenager Qiana Joseph has described her call-up to the West Indies Women’s side for the ICC Cricket World Cup as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and is hoping to make the most of the chance once she breaks into the starting XI.

The 16-year-old left-arm seamer is the youngest member of the side and is one of four uncapped players in the 15-member squad for the June 24 to July 23 campaign.

“It means a lot to me and my family because this opportunity comes once in a lifetime and when you get an opportunity like that you must make the best out of it,” said the St Lucian during the training camp at the Ageas Bowl which wrapped up in Southampton on Monday.

“I wasn’t surprised because this year I worked very hard to be a member of the team.” Joseph managed seven wickets at an average of 15 during the Regional Super50 in the Caribbean recently, impressing selectors with her potential.

She was subsequently picked for the tour of England in order to gain experience but she said once the chance presented itself, she would look to make her mark.

“If I get the opportunity to play I will make the best out of it. If I get the opportunity to bowl I want to take at least three wickets in that game,” he said.

“I will be working on my fitness and accuracy in my bowling.”

So far, Joseph has experienced the vagaries of the notorious English weather with sunshine, rain and chilly conditions characterising the 17-day camp.

She said even though the different weather conditions presented a challenge, she was already acclimatising.

“[The weather] is a challenge because it is very moody at times but I’m coping with it.”

West Indies arrived in England on Tuesday to begin their formal World Cup programme which sees them taking on Pakistan Women next Tuesday and South Africa Women two days later, in official ICC warm-up games.

They open their World Cup campaign against reigning champions Australia Women on June 26.