MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand, CMC – Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed has taken fresh aim at a new mark, just days after becoming the first West Indies Women’s bowler to claim 300 internationals wickets.
The 33-year-old picked up two for 60 in last Friday’s shock three-run win over hosts New Zealand at Bay Oval, moving to 176 One-Day International scalps to add to her 125 in Twenty20 Internationals.
In the twilight of a stellar career after making her debut as a 15-year-old nearly two decades ago, Mohammed said she was still highly motivated to achieve.
“[I have] quite a lot [of targets]. So the next one is one of my goals that I set since I started playing, so this one I’ve been looking at for years,” she told a media conference Saturday.
“I want to go past Cathryn Fitzpatrick. She had 180 ODI scalps and I think I am five wickets behind her, so I’m hoping to get that in this World Cup.”
She continued: “Apart from these 300 international wickets, I’ve accomplished quite a lot over the years and I still think I have little gas in the tank to go still, so I’m still looking forward to getting to those milestones and hopefully creating or breaking more records.”
Australian Fitzpatrick, now retired, sits second on the all-time list of wicket-takers, with Mohammed third and Indian star Jhulan Goswami, 39, top of the pile with 247 wickets.
Mohammed entered the March 4 to April 3 showpiece on the cusp of history, after taking three wickets in two outings in the four-match ODI series against South Africa in Johannesburg last month.
And she reached her landmark against New Zealand when she removed the dangerous Amy Satterthwaite for 31 in the 28th over, as the hosts crashed to 256 all out in pursuit of 260 for victory.
Mohammed also followed up with the wicket of Lea Tahuhu, two overs later, to take her overall tally to 301 victims.
“It was a big moment for me. I was actually hoping to get to it in South Africa and come in a bit relaxed in this game but I guess what better moment to get it than the big stage at a World Cup,” the Trinidadian said.
“It was a big game for us and we needed a breakthrough and I was really happy the 300th wicket was one that the team needed.”
She added: “Everyone wants to achieve something big at the World Cup – it’s viewed all over the world. I think if I’d gotten that [record] in South Africa, it may not have been that special.
“But to get it at the World Cup on the world stage is definitely a special moment for me and I enjoyed every moment of it.”
Mohammed will be in action again when West Indies clash with England tomorrow at University Oval in Dunedin.
