From maternity break to West Indies comeback: The Afy Fletcher Story

Afy Fletcher is someone who brings a ton of valuable experience to the current West Indies squad. From the ICC Women's T20 World Cup glory in 2016 to the heartbreak at home in 2018, the 37-year-old leg-spinner has seen it all. 

Her debut masterclass is unforgettable, when she tore Ireland apart by taking four wickets in a nine-over spell. She has been both in and out of the squad throughout her career but she kept making comebacks, which speaks volumes about her ability to fight it out. 

Fletcher is one of the supermoms in the game and she has been candid about the challenges she faced while making a comeback after taking a maternity break.

Ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Fletcher spoke to Women’s CricZone about the beginning of her cricketing career, winning the T20 World Cup, maternity break, the art of leg-spin and more.

Q: Can you talk about the beginning of your cricketing journey and where it all began?

Well, I started in my community, we have a strong village that loves cricket and plays cricket. So then I used to go to the park with those guys and you know and just have fun. So I just had fun and we carried along. I got called to come in the team and with my country and then from playing a couple of games in our regional tournament, I was selected in 2008 to train with Western senior team and that's where it all began in 2008. I got selected and the ups and downs would be, sometimes you're not being selected and then get recalled in 2015 and continue from that journey.

Q: You marked your entry to international cricket in style. 4/22 in nine overs on your debut. Can you take us through that moment?

That was a long time ago. I don’t remember much but I know it happened against Ireland for the first time, playing the game, and it was just fun. There are really no oppositions and they just go there, they just want to play the game. I just do what I have to do with the ball and, you know, four wickets and then everybody, every bowler you know, loves to take wickets. So, to achieve four wickets on a debut was awesome. 

Q: How was the feeling in the West Indies dressing room after winning the T20 World Cup in 2016?

Everyone was so joyful, it was unbelievable. I mean, we won and we still couldn’t believe it. Everyone was so ecstatic and there were tears of joy. 

Q: How was the experience of playing the T20 World Cup at home in 2018?

Everyone loves to play at home. You feel a little bit pressured sometimes while playing in front of home because you want to do so well, so it is an overwhelming feeling. Everyone wants to achieve, perform and give their best. We didn’t go as far as we wanted to, but it’s always a great feeling playing at home and I always want to play in the Caribbean. 

Q: What was it like taking a maternity break? What were the challenges you faced while coming back to the team and managing work-life balance?

To be honest, it was a different feeling. I wanted to play cricket but bringing a new one into life is always a blessing so I embrace that. I just carried on the journey until the baby was born and when he was born, there were challenges getting back into training and getting your body back to what it used to be. It wasn’t easy, but with the help of everyone around me, including family, friends, once you have that support, the journey is a bit easier. That’s how professionals have to manage when you’re an athlete. So I embraced the journey and the support was also good.

Q: What are your thoughts on the emerging youngsters in the West Indies and their impact on the team?

We have quite a lot of young inexperienced players developing. We have so many of them and everyone cannot make it to the team. But hopefully they can learn and also by playing games, they can develop. Once they get exposure to many games, I think that can be great and they can bring additional skills to the team. So they just have to continue to keep working hard, understanding the game and also utilizing the knowledge of experienced players around them to help them to develop well.

Q: Has there been any impact of WCPL in the international arena? How do you compare it to other franchise leagues around the world?

I think it’s a good start for the Caribbean to have this tournament. It can help some of the players get exposed and gain some experience. I mean, it is still not as quality but we are trying to get it up there. Some of the franchises are also not quite there yet. As we go along, we are hoping that it will grow and get bigger, and the quality and skills will be as good as the other franchises. 

Q: You started your international career back in 2008 and you are still going strong in 2024. What are the changes you have experienced in women’s cricket in all these years and how have you adapted to them? 

To be honest, the game, after some time, has grown so drastically. There are so many different strategies and game structures. But it is all about understanding and using experience and resources early in terms of psychologists, using the coaches and all those things. This helps develop your game. So it’s all about utilising the resources and understanding the game because the game will always keep growing and developing. 

Q: How do you look at fellow leg-spinners in women’s cricket? Is there anyone in particular you like in that position? 

It’s very difficult. But to see so many players develop the art is really good. I know many players used to say they don’t love leg spin but now that many players have developed the love for leg pain is really good to see. Since Amanda-Jade Wellington came to the Royals team, we have grown close and shared experiences and thoughts. I like to see her plans and how she approaches the game. She is one of the players who I have really grown close to as she came to the Caribbean.