Lee-Ann Kirby

If men’s cricket flaunts the tale of Ashish Nehra making an inspiring comeback then West Indies’ Len Ann-Kirby is the fortunate/unfortunate cricketer from the women’s category. Kirby is an all-rounder who has missed the international setting for 12 long years. 

The Trinidadian is a middle-order batter and also a medium-pacer, but more than that, she has been an inspiration. The all-rounder started her journey at the primary school level and then went on to play for a local club before getting the chance to represent her country at the U-23 level. 

Kirby donned the Maroon jersey in early July 2008 when the all-rounder travelled to the Netherlands with the West Indies squad to play four ODIs and two T20Is. She had an ordinary tour where she scored a total of 45 runs and took 4 wickets. However, the climax came after the series as Kirby got injured and had a very long break. 

After grinding herself day-in and day-out, playing various Women’s Regional Championship for Trinidad and Tobago, Kirby made an inspirational comeback in 2020 when she was picked for the World T20 Down Under. 

During the ICC event, Kirby didn’t bowl but played a few important cameos down the order for the Women in Maroon. Post the World Cup, she toured the UK with the West Indies team to play three more T20Is but she failed to impress against a quality English bowling line-up. 

Len Ann-Kirby has truly been an inspiration for millions, if not anything. The cricketer has never lost faith in herself and that is the reason for her returning after 12 years, aged at 32 years. Kirby believes in cherishing her time left as a cricketer rather than wasting it with sorrow. 

(As of April 2021)