‘I was just sticking to my plans’

DESPITE BEING named to the ICC team of the tournament following the recently concluded women’s T20 world cup, Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies off-spinner Karishma Ramharack is disappointed.

“We obviously came to win, so it’s a huge disappointment for not proceeding into the semis, but I do feel that we showed great fight and character, especially going into the final two games of the tournament,” Ramharack told The Gleaner.

Ramharack, who was featuring on the T20 World Cup stage for the first time, played in all four games for the West Indies, collecting five wickets, while conceding 50 runs at an average of 10.00, the fourth best throughout the South-Africa-hosted tournament.

Despite the performance, Ramharack admitted to having a nervous start.

“In terms of nerves at the start, I was, especially playing against India, who we know were one of the better teams in the tournament, but throughout the tournament, it got less, and I was a bit more relaxed knowing that I was able to execute,” said Ramharack.

The 28-year-old off-spinner revealed that prior to the start of the tournament, her plans were to keep it as simple as possible and focus on execution.

“For me, it was all about managing my position on the team as best as I should and that is to be economical as a bowler and managing my areas on the field as a fielder. It was really just sticking to my plans when given the opportunity,” she said.

Known for her economical bowling, Ramharack, who goes at 4.24 runs per over in ODIs and 6.06 in T20Is, believes that with the aggressive nature of the game, she is happy with where she is.

“Going at 6.06 in T20 cricket is good, especially with the type of cricket that these girls are playing, and right now if you could go at a run a ball against the best teams in the world, then its okay. Obviously, you want to be improving that as best as possible, but the game is evolving so much that if you go at a run a ball as a bowler, I think you’ve done your work,” she said.

When quizzed on which phase of a T20 game she is most comfortable bowling in, the tall off-spinner said she least fancies bowling in the first six overs (powerplay).

“I don’t think in T20 cricket there’s a comfortable phase. The power play puts a lot of pressure with only having two fielders outside (20-yard circle). I think I mostly enjoy the middle overs because you have the protection and the death overs because it’s either they (batters) hit you, or you pick up wickets, so I more enjoy the middle and death overs.”

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com