Shane de Silva

Shane de Silva made her debut for West Indies at the age of 31 - a time when some international players would be thinking of calling it a day. Not de Silva, who thumped 38 not out on debut against Sri Lanka in 2003. With five brothers it is hardly a surprise that de Silva, a left-arm orthodox bowler and left-hand batsman, took up cricket, a game she has been playing since the age of 11. And this is not her only sport: she is a FIFA-qualified football referee, and is on the international panel. And her allround prowess doesn't stop there. Aside from her sporting activities, de Silva also finds time to teach children with special needs.
Jenny Thompson January 2005