Ever since joining Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) back in 2001, June Ogle-Thomas’ dream was to play for the West Indies.
Her dream came through on Wednesday when she was selected in the 14-member West Indies women’s squad that will tour India from January 10 to 24. The visitors will play five One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals against India.
“I was happy when I found out I was selected for the West Indies team. I always wanted to play for the West Indies team ever since I knew that there were hard ball teams for women and it was being played overseas; this is a dream come through for me,” the 24-year-old mother of one told Stabroek Sport yesterday.
Ogle-Thomas, who is the national wicketkeeper and opening batter, is the only newcomer to the Windies side that toured South Africa to contest the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Challenge in October. The Guyanese replaced Cordel Jack of St. Vincent in the side.
In the telephone interview Ogle-Thomas, who attended the Craig Nursery and Primary Schools before moving on to the Friendship Secondary School on the East Bank Demerara (EBD), said that she will continue to work hard to make herself, country and team proud.
She assured that she will make the best of her opportunities, especially since the call to the team was a belated one.
She said that she was slightly disappointed but she also knew that her day would come. Stabroek Sport learnt that selectors were considering Ogle-Thomas after they saw her in the Regional 50-over tournament where she top scored with 81 not out earlier this year.
The player acknowledged that her work to elevate her game has now begun. Yesterday, after speaking with Stabroek Sport, Ogle-Thomas was out practising at her newly adopted club, Police Sports Club (PSC).
Ogle-Thomas first made the national team in 2003 and she said it was not always easy since but her sights were always trained on the international level. She did succeed a lot because of the support of her husband Marcus Thomas and parents Charles Ogle Sr., and Linda Fredericks.
These persons, along with her daughter, teammates and coaches, were part of the network of support that ensured she attained her goal. She scored a century in this year’s Inter-County 50-over tournament and this further bolstered her confidence that she should continue to strive for the international scene.
“I always work hard and the support I get helps me to strive for the highest level. I am starting my preparation for India and I aim to impress and make an impact during the tournament,” Ogle-Thomas said.
The player’s role models are Chris Gayle, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar. According to Ogle-Thomas they are great players and they play the game hard and “give 100% percent at all times” and this is a “motivation”.
On the distaff side Ogle-Thomas admires her future teammate Stefanie Taylor, whom she considers as “reliable”.
Commenting on the state of women’s cricket in Guyana she said that the standard is very low and more needs to be done, especially since more players are emerging from the national ranks and getting selected to the West Indies. She said that this should give the organisers of the game in Guyana the impetus to act more quickly to improve the standard of women’s cricket.
Ogle-Thomas will be joining three of her compatriots on the team in allrounder Shemaine Campbelle and pacers Subrina Munroe and Tremayne Smartt. Ogle-Thomas said that she relishes the opportunity to play with them at the international level.
Squad: Merissa Aguilleira (captain), Anisa Mohammed (vice-captain), Shemaine Campbelle, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Pearl Etienne, Stacy Ann King, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, June Ogle-Thomas, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt and Stefanie Taylor.
