WI Women, India in crucial clash
WTAUNTON, England (CMC): EST INDIES Women are hoping to mark captain Stafanie Taylor’s 100th One-Day International with a win when they take on India Women in a critical fixture in the ICC Women’s World Cup today (4:40 a.m. Jamaica time).
The outstanding player is poised to reach the milestone once she suits up for the contest at County Ground, but emphasised the importance of the outcome, as the Caribbean side go in search of their first win of the showpiece.
“I didn’t actually remember until my media manager actually said it to me this morning that tomorrow would be [my] 100th ODI game,” Taylor told a media conference yesterday.
“I’m pleased to be here and to know that the 100th [ODI] is actually in a World Cup, so hopefully, in the end, we come out victorious.”
Taylor’s career took flight nine years ago as a 17-year-old and she has since blossomed into the West Indies’ leading batsman and one of the world’s finest.
She assumed leadership of the squad nearly two years ago and presided over their capture of the Twenty20 World Cup last year.
SQUAD CRISIS
However, her personal milestone coincides with a crisis of sorts in the squad as they find themselves in a losing slump and in need of a victory to revive confidence.
Last Monday, they were dominated by reigning champions Australia in an eightwicket defeat in what was their opening match of the World Cup.
That came on the heels of losses in the two official warm-ups last week and three practice matches prior, including a hastily arranged fixture against India.
Despite the disappointing performance against the Aussies, Taylor said her teammates had analysed their performance and backed themselves to give an improved showing.
West Indies are one from bottom of the eight-team standings led by New Zealand Women on three points, with England also on three points but second by virtue of an inferior net run rate.
West Indies squad: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Merissa Aguilleira, Reniece Boyce, Shamilia Connell, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Qiana Joseph, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Akeira Peters, Shakera Selman, Felicia Walters.