West Indies women’s senior and `A’ teams are set to battle their Pakistan counterparts in the first T20I today in Antigua and both teams are hyped for their showdown.
The two senior captains expressed their delight at getting back to cricket after an extended period whiles the `A’ team leaders both saw the historic series as an opportunity to gain valuable experience and exposure.
Speaking to the media ahead of their clashes, the West Indies women’s team captain, Stafanie Taylor, was particularly upbeat ahead of the assignment, having last played a series back in 2020.
Despite the prolonged absence of international matches, the ladies have been in an extensive camp prior to the series.
“We’ve been here for about 60 days in camp, everyone is feeling really good, we’re in a good space…we had a good day in training today getting ready,” Taylor said.
The Jamaican `Wonder Woman’ revealed that the relatively large amount of matches scheduled will serve the team well heading into the World Cup.
“Well, the good thing going into the World Cup is that we have a lot of games coming up and for us it is taking each game at a time. Yes we have not played for a while now…but this is something I would say new…I know that expectations are a bit high but we really and truly don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, Pakistan has been playing some good cricket…” she said.
Both teams have been through a lean patch in the format with Pakistan women winning just two games and West Indies women, one, from their last 10 matches.
Taylor’s Pakistan counterpart, Javeria Khan, was optimistic about her team’s chances.
“We are really excited to be here in this beautiful country and the girls have prepared really well. Over the past two days they have had some intense training sessions and we are looking forward to playing West Indies positively and we will try to get better results.”
Meanwhile, the up-and-coming talents of both countries will take center-stage in the first match of the “double header” affair with a lot to look forward to.
Like Khan, Pakistan women’s `A’ team skipper, Sidra Nawaz, was in awe of the scenery and was specifically captivated to be playing in Antigua, saying that she looked forward to exciting and keenly contested matches.
The hosts’ A team captain, Reniece Boyce, says that this is an opportunity for the women to make a name for themselves, pinpointing the likes of her vice-captain, Shabika Gajnabi, Cherry Ann Fraser, Sheneta Grimmond, Kianna Joseph and Rashaada Williams.
“I think the main thing for us is building experience and maybe going forward into the senior team,” Boyce said.
The wicketkeeper, who admitted she was a bit nervous but privileged to lead the side, noted that this is the time they will put to the test all that have been worked on in the camp over the last two months, particularly technique in all facets of the game.
