BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – After five years in the West Indies Women’s team, Stacy Ann King, spent a year in the wilderness. Now she is back aiming to start what can be described as the "second coming of my cricket career", after being recalled for the historic Women’s T20 Tri-Series.
At 30, King returns a year older and wiser than the player who was part of the West Indies team which lost the semi-final of the ICC Women’s World T20 tournament in Sri Lanka last October.
"I’m back and I’m here to stay. It’s always good to be in the group. I was warmly welcomed by the girls and it almost felt like I was not out of the team. The team has a good spirit and everyone is focussed on the series with New Zealand and England," she told WICB Media.
"I bring experience as one of the senior players in the team and I will try to add that experience and knowledge as we move forward. I want to maintain what I do best – tidy bowling effort and look to make a contribution with the bat."
During the time off King enrolled in a Physical Instructors Course which helped to boost her strength and fitness for her role as a left-handed batter and left-arm seam bowler. It is this she hopes will bring her success in the series starting Monday night, and which features three of the world best teams – West Indies, England and New Zealand.
"It was tough and challenging …quite challenging mentally and physically but it helped me to prepare for the tournament. I’m happy to see the rewards for it," said King, who has played 50 ODIs and 47 T20s.
"I did a lot of reflection and analysed my game. I was told what I needed to do to make my way back into the team and I worked really hard to earn a spot."