The West Indies Women’s team has a tough assignment ahead of them in the coming weeks but they believe the hard work they have put in over the last 12 days will pay dividends in the upcoming series against India Women.
The Windies women are presently in a training camp in Antigua ‘working overtime’ as they prepare to face their higher-ranked opponents in three one-day internationals and five T20 Internationals.
The series opens on Saturday with the first T20 International at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground. First ball in the night match is at 6.30 p.m. (5.30 p.m. Jamaica time).
Merissa Aguilleira, the experienced wicket-keeper and inspirational captain, said the players have paid special attention to ‘playing under lights’, as this has become a feature of the modern game at the international level.
“Our preparations have been going extremely well … exactly as we planned it. One of our challenges was playing under lights and we have held several training sessions under the lights at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground and we have adapted very well. Before this camp, we played a few international matches under the lights but we still needed more,” said Aguilleira.
The young West Indies team is built around their world-rated all-rounders Stafanie Taylor, Shanel Daley and Deandra Dottin; along with Anisa Mohammed, the match-winning off-spinner. Taylor, the right-handed opener and off-spinner, was named ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2011 and is the leading player in the game at the moment. At age 20 the Jamaican is already the most successful female cricketer in West Indies history.
West Indies squad: Merissa Aguilleira (captain/wicketkeeper), Stafanie Taylor (vice- captain), Shemaine Campbelle (wicketkeeper), Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Pearl Etienne, Stacy Ann King, Kycia Knight (wicketkeeper), Anisa Mohammed, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman.
MATCH SCHEDULE
T20 Internationals
Saturday, February 18: 1st T20 International at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua – 6.30 p.m.
Sunday, February 19: 2nd T20 International at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua – 6.30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 22: 3rd T20 International at Windsor Park, Dominica – 2 p.m.
Thursday, February, 23: 4th T20 International at Windsor Park, Dominica – 2 p.m.
Monday, February 27: 5th T20 International at Warner Park, St Kitts – 2 p.m.
One-Day Internationals
Wednesday, February 29: 1st one-day international at Warner Park, St Kitts – 10 a.m.
Friday, March 2: 2nd one-day international at Warner Park, St Kitts – 10 a.m.
Sunday, March 4: 3rd one-day international at Warner Park, St Kitts – 10 a.m.
