Head coach of the West Indies Women, Courtney Walsh is banking on his side to show improved consistency as they face South Africa in three WT20Is beginning today.
Walsh, in an interview with the media yesterday revealed that plans leading up to the series did not go as they wanted with the scheduled practice matches unable to come off.
As a result, match scenarios were used as substitutes.
However, despite their success in the series against Pakistan Women, Walsh wants the team to execute better.
“We are looking to execute a lot better than we did against Pakistan,” he said. “Obviously South Africa being ranked above us, we know we have to be a lot more consistent than we were against Pakistan,” he added.
According to the head coach, it was pleasing to see the other players step up rather than just the regular few players and he is hoping that could continue in order to compete with the top teams in the world.
“That’s the only way we are going to get the team where we can compete against the top teams and give ourselves a chance to win competitions. We have to move away from one or two players consistently getting us out of trouble. So if we can get the depth of the team performing and it was very good to see all the players performing and performing well, we want that to continue,” he said.
Walsh indicated that the Pakistan Women series was the first in a long time so not too much harsh judgement would be passed but with this series afoot, he believes that it provides a chance to be consistent especially with everyone fit and in good health.
The former fast bowler also disclosed that the Caribbean ladies could be boosted by the return of Deandra Dotting’s seam bowling.
“There is a good chance of that changing [Dottin returning to bowl]. She’s been going through her paces. She did a couple of stuff in England, bowling in the nets and she bowled again in the nets today. We are hoping to have her bowling before the series ends,” he stated.
Dotting has 61 WT20I wickets but has only bowled three times in her last 11 matches. Walsh said that the medical team will advise on her condition and once her pain can be minimized that she will be cleared.
Dottin is expected to complement the seam contingent that features the likes of Shakera Selman, Shamila Connell, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry and Aliyah Alleyne.
The series bowls off today in Antigua from 18.00 hours
