West Indies Women head into a crucial ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match on Friday, with the firm belief that they can bounce back and make an impact in the tournament. Speaking on Thursday, Head Coach Courtney Walsh said the team was in good spirits and were update as they prepare to face Ireland Women on Friday. This crucial match will be played at the picturesque Newlands in Cape Town. First ball is at 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica Time).
West Indies are in Group 2 and have so far lost to England and India, leaving them in fourth spot. They will need to beat Ireland and then Pakistan on Sunday to have hope of reaching the semi-finals. West Indies won the tournament back in 2016. They also reached the semifinals in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2018.
Walsh said:
“We have two matches to play and we’re still looking to win those two games. That’s the only way we’re going to have any chance (of making the semifinals). But I think with the way India and England have played, obviously they’re way ahead in the zone. We’ll start to do what we can to try and win our two remaining games and then see where it takes us from there.”
He gave an assessment of Wednesday’s match against India. Stafanie Taylor topscored with 42 and she share a 73-run stand with Shemaine Campbelle (30); while off-spiner Krishma Ramharack took two crucial wickets.
Walsh said:
“I think it was a good conditions for cricket, to be honest. I’m not going to make any excuse. I thought we had a reasonable good start with the bat, but we just didn’t capitalise on it on the end … we had with Shemaine Campbelle, was pretty decent. We just didn’t sort of finish at the end with the impetus that we wanted to. If we had gotten 140, I’m not saying we would have won us the game, but that’s what we were hoping to get, at least 140, 150. I think that’s definitely a lot more challenging for India.”
In Wednesday’s match, Taylor was stretchered off the field, while skipper Hayley Matthews suffered a knee injury late on in the game and had to seek medical attention.
Coach Walsh said:
“Hayley came off the field and was a very major concern for us, but the good news this morning is that she has rested well and the next 24 hours we will know for sure how it holds up. She is a fighter, she is tough, you know, we have got some good fighters in the set-up, but Hayley’s one. She knows her body well and she will struggle a little bit. I think she’ll be okay.”
Walsh also offered an update on Taylor.
“She’s still being looked after by the medical team. She’s been rested, evaluated still, but the most important thing is to make sure the athlete is okay. We’re taking every precaution that is necessary to ensure her health comes first and then once we get the updates on that, we can sort of look to progress.”
During the interaction with the media, Walsh also highlighted the Under-19 players who were selected for their first senior World Cup event.
“Well, they’ve brought youth and enthusiasm to the group, one. Two, they are good quality players for the future as well. One played in the first game of the World Cup, which was fantastic to have already set up to go out and play. They’re players that we’re looking forward to for the future as well. But I still think they have a part to play and this World Cup campaign … it is not over yet in terms of them having a chance to play. They are not just here for the ride and they get the experience. They are players that can get into the team and have played before. So I see them as players that we’re definitely looking for the future, but also this experience will be tremendous for them.” (CWI)
FULL SQUAD
Hayley Matthews (Captain)
Shemaine Campbelle (Vice Captain)
Aaliyah Alleyne
Shamilia Connell
Afy Fletcher
Shabika Gajnabi
Chinelle Henry
Trishan Holder
Zaida James
Djenaba Joseph
Chedean Nation
Karishma Ramharack
Shakera Selman
Stafanie Taylor
Rashada Williams
West Indies Match Schedule
11 February: v England, Boland Park, Paarl, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)- England won by 7 wickets
15 February: v India, Newlands, Cape Town, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)- India won by 6 wickets
17 February: v Ireland, Newlands, Cape Town,7pm (1pm Eastern Caribbean/12 noon Jamaica)
19 February: v Pakistan, Boland Park, Paarl, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)