It was a dress rehearsal for Windies women during their opening match against Thailand in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
Unsurprisingly, the former champs brushed aside the newcomers on Saturday by seven wickets where skipper Stafanie Taylor displayed her all-around calibre.
The real test now awaits Taylor and her troops for their next three challenges against Pakistan, England and South Africa. The immediate assigning will see them squaring off against Pakistan on Wednesday.
Looking ahead, West Indies who won the 2016 edition of the tournament, will require much input from their senior players in Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, and Anisa Mohammed if the Caribbean women are to replicate their heroics of four years ago or even make out of Group B.
The contributions of Guyanese Shemaine Campbelle are also key. While Pakistan has not been one of the trailblazers in Women’s T20 Cricket, ranking seventh in the world they are not to be taken lightly. They are not feared as England, Australia, India or the Windies. However, they can spring a few surprises and will certainly pose a much tougher exam than Thailand.
The expected battles against England – the second-ranked team in the world – and South African who are sixth, a slot lower than the Caribbean women, will require nothing short of brilliance from the players mentioned above.
Taylor, who is the highest-ranked Windies batter, sitting eight on the ICC rankings, has amassed over 2000 runs in the format. She has so far scored 21 fifties with a top score of 90. Her deceptive off-spin has recently been a bonus to her game.
Matthews, who had a relatively successful 2019, scored 174 runs from nine appearances. She stroked a century (107) against Ireland and is looking to reignite her presence in 2020.
The 21-year old has not scored 30 or more since reaching her maiden century in May last, however, her obvious whirlwind talent is essential to Windies’ success and is wonderful to watch when she’s on the go.
Dottin, on the other hand, is the impact player on the team; the 28-year old has been battling a career-threatening shoulder injury of late but has a superior record.
She has two centuries in 111 matches, tallying 2,370 runs and has so far bagged 59 wickets. Injuries limited her progression in 2019 as she only played three matches.
Mohammed, an off-spinner by trade has to do well. She has three five-wicket hauls in T20s and operates at under six and could inspire the kind of combined bowling performers the Windies require.
According to ESPN, West Indies have been among the most consistent sides in the T20 World Cup since their first-round exit in 2009.
They’ve made it to the knockouts – or beyond – in the past five editions, having won it in 2016. In 2018, an awful batting meltdown against eventual champions Australia cost them the semi-finals at home.
Squad:
Stafanie Taylor (capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Lee-Ann Kirby, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed (vice-capt), Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman (coach: Gus Logie)
Group fixtures:
February 22: West Indies v Thailand, WACA (Won by seven wickets)
February 26: West Indies v Pakistan, Canberra
March 1: West Indies v England, Sydney Showground
March 3: West Indies v South Africa, Sydney Showground
