West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin was on the verge of quitting the game as she battled to recovery from shoulder sugery.

Dottin’s last international was a year ago and she underwent surgery in June but initially struggled with the rehabilitation, reaching the point where she considered whether she could ever be able to make a comeback.

She credits advice from former West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who suffered a similar injury, as key to keeping her motivated.

“I had to find means and ways to keep on a positive side and have some extra confidence. Times I’ve felt down, felt like giving up at times,” she said at the West Indies’ media day before the T20 World Cup. “Basically, I did a lot of praying. Also having my best friend just text or call to keep me motivated, giving me that belief to continue to keep working to get back on track.

“There were times when I felt like I was getting somewhere, then it was points where I felt like I was taking 50 steps back. So close to point where I said that’s it, I didn’t think I would get back with West Indies or back playing any cricket at all. I didn’t even think that I’d be able to use my shoulder like I used to. I was so close to saying I think I should call it a day.

“But speaking to Merissa Aguilleira it gave me that extra boost. I actually had a conversation with Alzarri Joseph who had similar injury to me and he felt the same way, but he kept pushing and he gave me some tips on how to keep positive.”

Dottin, who holds the record for the fastest hundred in women’s T20Is with her 38-ball effort against South Africa at the 2010 T20 World Cup, batting as low as No. 6, will be a vital cog in the West Indies side as they look to overturn a poor run of form and be contenders for the title they won in 2016.

With the ball, Dottin has 59 wickets at 18.08 in T20Is with a best of 5 for 5 and is confident she will be able to play an all-round role.

“In terms of bowling, it [the injury] had a big impact, but it’s coming along good and I think my shoulder is actually feeling stronger than it was before the injury. All in all, in thank god and the people who helped me. Today I’m here which I’m thankful for.”