CHARLES SELECTED

Phernel Charles first gained selection to a West Indies Women’s Cricket team in 1999, but her appearances were restricted to matches that year against a touring Lancashire team here in the Caribbean.{{more}}

Nine years later, she is part of the 14-member regional team set to tour Pakistan and Sri Lanka in October and November.

Last month in St. Lucia, Charles snared 13 wickets at an average of 10.85 runs apiece in the regional women’s annual tournament.

Charles, 34, a right arm fast bowler, captured 6 for 34 against the host, which was the most wickets taken by a bowler in an innings in the 2008 tournament.

“Great, I can’t even explain the feeling”, Charles told SEARCHLIGHT last Wednesday afternoon via telephone from her North Leeward residence of Spring Village.

Stating that she got the all-important call from her Coach Cleton Burnett, and at first could not believe what she was hearing.

Charles said that her selection has not really sunk home as yet.

“One of my sons is more excited than I am”, remarked Charles, who is the mother of three boys.

A Prison Officer by profession, Charles is not daunted by having to travel to the two countries, amidst the simmering tribal and political tensions there.

“I am not fearful. Fear is only in the mind,” Charles said when quizzed about the fears of security in both countries.

Another Vincentian, middle order batsman Julianna Nero is also part of the West Indies team.

Nero did not light up the recent tournament, but had reasonable scores in the West Indies tour to Holland, Ireland and England earlier this year.

While the two have earned selection, another local player who has represented the West Indies, Cordell Jack, was not so lucky, despite scoring two half centuries in the recent tournament.

Jack was part of the West Indies team that participated in the Women’s World Cup in South Africa in 2005. (RT)