FAIRBREAK MISSION IS CLOSE TO HER HEART SAYS SHAMILIA CONNELL, WHO TAKES HER ROLE MODEL DUTIES AT THE GENCOR FAIRBREAK INVITATIONAL 2023 SERIOUSLY 

Hong Kong (April 7, 2023) – West Indies fast bowler Shamilia Connell is one of cricket’s global stars, with a career tally of 85 wickets across 58 WODIs and 63 WT20Is. The Barbadian, known for being the ‘energy person’ of the West Indies dressing room, believes she has an important role to play at FairBreak tournaments, going far beyond just crafting victory for her side.

Connell is also an important role model for bowlers around the world and will take on those duties as well in her second appearance at the Gencor FairBreak Invitational.

Shamila Connell said: “Coming in to FairBreak 2022, basically I was a role model to the other girls from other countries and I just had to come out and perform and keep that going.

“You don’t usually see them (Players from Associate countries), so it was good exposure to come here and see the talent they have. I get a lot of feedback (about my performance) from them as well.”

Speaking about her team the Warriors, who opened the 2023 tournament with a convincing 7-wicket win, Connell is confident of a better showing this year: “It is a good feeling to be back with the Warriors. Last year we didn’t get the results that we wanted, but this time we have a got a stronger team and hopefully we can go out and do something better.”

FairBreak players do not have numbers on the back of their shirts, instead they wear their flags, something that Connell is proud of: “This flag is very special to me, and it is a moment of great honour to wear this flag on my back.”

Looking ahead Connell says the FairBreak Mission is one that is close to her heart: “This was a great aim of FairBreak to work on equality for women, not just in sport but in general. This is a big thing for me and so I take it very personally.”

“It is an exciting tournament, especially with the exposure, and the environment and the vibes.”