Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper-batter Shunelle Sawh says her record unbroken triple hundred on Sunday still feels unreal.
Sawh scored 300 not out for her club Caldrac Achievers against AC Women in a 5th round match of the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Cricket Association Premier Division 50-over tournament on Sunday.
Her triple century was the highest individual score in women’s cricket surpassing the 190 scored by Britney Cooper for Phoenix Women against Hibiscus Ladies.
Sawh scored her triple hundred off 142 balls with 52 fours, and five sixes, and she said she felt gratitude after producing the record score.
“To be honest, it’s still a surreal moment. I don’t think I’ve fully wrapped my head around it yet,” she told 103fm News, “All I can really express is gratitude—towards my club, my coaches who assisted me and worked with me a lot, and everyone who supported me along the way.”
Sawh was not aware of the previous record while playing her innings on Sunday and said he was merely focused on achieving good batting fundamentals.
“I was just playing each ball on its merit, trying not to get distracted and just concentrate on my game,” she said.
The 21-year-old says she did not do anything different before the match and just stuck to her normal pre-match routines.
“I wouldn’t say I felt any different. I have basic routines that I stick to, just trying to stay in a good frame of mind and keep a positive attitude. I think sticking to those routines eventually paid off,” she said.
However, as she neared her century, Sawh realized that she was having a special day.
“When I was about to make 100, I realized the feeling was becoming more familiar and things were starting to feel easier. Then when I got to around 200–250, everything just flowed,” she said.
Sawh experienced the flow state only once before while playing against an U-19 boys team in a practice match before a regional tournament.
She retired after getting the single to make her triple hundred, and she said players from the AC Women’s team said they were inspired by her performance.
“But they still congratulated me and said it was an amazing innings. It meant a lot to me when some of the younger players said I motivated them or that they look up to me,” she said.
Sawh believes that the inning has transformed her career.
“I think it shows what I’m capable of—breaking records and achieving things I set my mind to. It will definitely be a confidence booster as I move to the next level,” she said.
The Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper batter said she trains hard an puts a lot of emphasis on physical and mental performance.
“I train a lot and try to prioritize health and habits, because once you feel good physically and mentally you can perform well. Those are the aspects I focus on, and when they come together you get performances like this,” she said.
Sawh will now join the West Indies team which is hosting Australia in an ODI series, which begins on Thursday in St Vincent.
She is hoping to make her debut and is excited for the opportunity.
“I’m really excited and grateful to be there. I’m surrounded by very experienced players and I know I can learn a lot from them. If I get the opportunity to play, I’ll just put my best foot forward, trust my ability and my preparation.”
History-making facts about the game
- Caldrac Achievers recorded the highest team score in the history local women’s 50 over cricket- 486/2 wickets (40 overs)
- Captain, wicket-keeper and opening batter Shunelle Sawh recorded the highest individual score in local women’s cricket- 300 not out (142 balls, 52 (4s), 5 (6s), Strike Rate 211). The previous highest was 190 by Britney Cooper for Phoenix Women v Hibiscus Ladies.
- Shunelle Sawh is the first triple centurion in local women’s cricket
- Shunelle Sawh recorded the most four’s (52) in an innings
- Samara Ramnath scored 105 (68 balls, 13 (4s) 1(6), Strike Rate 154) and shared in a 2nd wicket partnership of 278 runs with Shunelle Sawh
- Shunelle Sawh and Shriya Jairam shared unbroken 3rd wicket partnership of 176 runs, Jairam was 18 runs not out
- Danielle Dookie (Caldrac Achievers) took 6 wickets for 32 runs
- Caldrac Achievers won by 355 runs, the largest margin of victory in local women’s cricket as AC Women were dismissed for 131 runs.
(Statistics compiled by Dr Anand Rampersad)
