Rookie pacer Wilmott thrilled by Windies Women’s selection
Teenage pace bowler Kate Wilmott says she is “really excited” to be among five Jamaicans named in the West Indies Women’s 15-member squad to tour Pakistan between April and May.
The 19-year-old newcomer joins compatriots former regional team skipper Stafanie Taylor, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, and Rashada Williams — all with West Indies experience — in a group to be led by Barbadian Hayley Matthews.
“I’m excited, to be honest. It could be my first time playing international cricket, so I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Wilmott, who hails from New Works district in Westmoreland, told the Jamaica Observer on Saturday.
Her call-up comes after strong performances for double champions Jamaica during the Women’s Super50 and T20 Blaze competitions in St Kitts and Nevis.
Wilmott was described by Jamaica Head Coach Shane Brooks as bowling “extremely fast” after she claimed five wickets in the Super50 and one in the T20.
Wilmott, who attended Maud McLeod High School in Darliston, Westmoreland, said she was aware of her impact with the ball during the competitions but was still taken aback by her selection.
“My pace… gave the batters a lot of trouble,” she noted.
“I’ve been working really hard over the past few months… [but] when I got the call-up I was in shock.”
She said grass roots development through the Kiddy Cricket programme and Kingston Wharves Under-15 competition, and guidance from Westmoreland female team coach, Michael Salmon, laid the foundation for her elevation to the highest level.
“I started off playing at the primary level, and then I continued the journey in high school. I played Kingston Wharves cricket and Kiddy Cricket and we had a coach [Salmon]. The more cricket I played people were seeing me and I got called up to Jamaica’s Under-19 female team in 2019,” Wilmott recounted.
The West Indies team is scheduled to have a one-week training camp in United Arab Emirates, starting April 6, before travelling to Pakistan on April 14.
The teams are to contest a three-match One-Day International series from April 18 to 23. A five-match Twenty20 series is to follow from April 26 to May 3.
