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Ann Brentnall and Jacqui King-Mowatt have relatively simple job descriptions: keep the lads on the field.

But the physiotherapists of the England "A" and Barbados cricket teams know that their tasks are not that simple.

Actually it's very hard work. They are the only members of the teams who are on call 24 hours a day.

Brentnall has 16 players under her care for the two-month visit to the Caribbean, while King-Mowatt takes charge of Barbados' 13-member squad.

"When the others have an off day, maybe from a game or training, I'm still on alert. You can never tell when a player can get hurt," said Brentnall while taking a break from her fielding practice.

Yes, she does help with the fielding - mostly at backward point - during net sessions.

"It's quite tough, actually," she added, "People think: `Oh, well! you're going the West Indies on holiday!', but it's not that easy."

The pair created history on Friday when they teamed up as the first pair of female physios in the history of cricket in the region.

It is still to be confirmed if it is the first instance in the history of the first-class game.

Brentnall started her career 13 years ago at Derbyshire County Cricket Club and one of her first charges was former Jamaica and West Indies bowling great Michael Holding. She has also helped Trinidadian Ian Bishop during his troublesome back injuries.

King-Mowatt started with the Barbados Shell Shield team back in 1986 when Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall were the new-ball pair.

Ever since, both have "put their hands" on some of the game's greatest names, with Brentnall giving advice to other cricketing greats, including Sir Richard Hadlee and Ian Botham, before gaining the job as England "A" physio two years ago. This is her third year, and she has gone to South Africa, Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Brentnall, who runs a clinic in Derby, was the first woman employed as a physio by the English authorities.

King-Mowatt, niece of former Barbados batsman and West Indies manager Tony King, handled Brian Lara and Courtney Walsh while she was with the West Indies for the 1999 World Cup.

Both agree on one fundamental area: family support is vital.

"You are away most of the time and it can be quite time-consuming," said King-Mowatt who missed part of her daughter's 13th birthday yesterday.

"Last weekend was my husband's birthday and I was in Trinidad, so you see it can be tough as you are away for important things. Family support is the key; without them you can't do it," she said.

Brentnall has three children, the oldest aged 23, and the youngest, 18.

"I've been married for 27 years to a very understanding husband - he's a GP (general practitioner).

"So family support is very important and they understand my job. They know I love my job and I'm thankful for that."

© The Barbados Nation