ICC Women's World Cup 2009 - Features

Lavine proud of family support

Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:28:41 PM

There are some interesting family connections at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009.

Gemma Broad, England team analyst, is sister of Stuart, the England international cricketer; the Fernando sisters, Rose and Hiruka, are both included in the Sri Lanka squad; but few can claim to have such a distinguished cricketing cousin as West Indies batter Pamela Lavine.

The veteran player, who will celebrate her 40th birthday on 12 March, which coincides with the West Indies’ match against Australia, is the first cousin of West Indian legend Gordon Greenidge.

And Greenidge, who made 108 Test and 128 ODI appearances and who formed one of the great all-time opening partnerships with Desmond Haynes, was delighted to hear of Lavine’s selection for the World Cup.

“Before I came over I called him up and told him that I had some good news for him. He asked me what it is and I told him I had made the World Cup team,” said Lavine, who has not played for the West Indies in an ODI match since 2005.

“He was really happy for me and told me to do my best for the West Indies.”

Lavine received a late call-up for the team, despite having not figured in any of the side’s matches in 2008, and she admits that her hopes of returning to international cricket had seemingly been over.

“Since 2005 we haven’t played on any overseas tours until recently and I was not on any of those tours to Europe and Sri Lanka, but I was selected for the World Cup team.

“I was a bit surprised, but I knew that I did have the experience from the last World Cup.

Lavine is hopeful that her side can put on a good showing during the tournament and that it will provide an opportunity to showcase the game to the Caribbean public.

“For such a long time, women’s cricket has been on the backburner, and through international exposure, I think people will want to see more of it and play more.”

With the ICC World Twenty20 2010 also having a women’s tournament running alongside the men’s event, there has never been a better opportunity for Lavine and her team-mates to promote the game, but she admits that her age may prevent her playing in next year’s Caribbean carnival.

“This is my last World Cup as one of the senior players in the team and I know I have got it inside of me to do well,” said Lavine.

“I would like to play in the World Twenty20 in England and then tour South Africa in the winter and then that will be it for me.”

If she can bat like Gordon Greenidge, then the opposition at the ICC Women’s World Cup better watch out, as she could provide a glorious finale to her career.