JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The West Indies Women will start their four-match One Day International (ODI) series against South Africa Women at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.Captain Stafanie Taylor has marshalled her troops to focus on two main areas, consistency and aggression, two elements she believes were missing the last time the teams met in September last year in Antigua.
The Proteas Women won the T20 International series 3-0 and the ODI series 4-1. This time around, Taylor is more confident the team can perform better in the “Bullring”. She said: “I’m pretty confident, I think for us it’s consistency… it’s something we’re trying to focus on. (As a team) we know we’re at a 230 score, so we’re trying to make sure we consistently hit that 230 mark and then more from there.”
Hayley Matthews had a stellar 2021. She went to The Hundred and was the best thing she could have been: herself. More significantly so, because the all-rounder had not been her batting self in quite some time; having a lean period aggravated by injuries that stretched from 2019 into 2020.
Such was Matthews’ form or lack thereof, that she was given a very short stint—under, then-interim Head Coach, Gus Logie—down the order, in an attempt to shake her out of her slump. Matthews batted at number 4 in two T20Is against England in 2020.
Hayley Matthews on batting down the order: “I found it quite different; but at the same time, quite comfortable.”
Still, when Courtney Walsh was brought in to replace Logie, on a permanent basis, back up the order went the right-hander. And despite recording her first ODI ton in almost three years, her lack of form would persist.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CMC) — Seasoned fast bowler Shakera Selman says “quality” preparation here over the last week has left West Indies Women in “a good space” ahead of their four-match One-Day International series against South Africa Women starting here Friday.
The Caribbean side are using the tour as their final build-up to the ICC 50-over World Cup in New Zealand in March, and Selman believes the training along with Tuesday's warm-up victory against a South Africa Women XI has proved a major benefit for the unit.
“We are very confident now, and after winning that game yesterday we would've played against some of the girls who are going to play for the Proteas Women come Friday,” Selman told a media conference on Wednesday.
West Indies century-maker Rovman Powell admits he has spent the last few months away from the team working out susceptibility to wrist spin.
The 28-year-old returned to the regional squad with a bang on Wednesday, blasting the first T20I century of his career, and third for a West Indian player, with 107 in a 20-runs win against England. The crucial innings, along with 70 from vice-captain Nicholas Pooran anchored the team’s effort in taking a 2-1 series lead.
“I think it’s been overall improvement, I can strike the ball well but I also have a little problem with wrist spin. Every time I start my innings they come and bowl wrist spin.
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard has pointed to the importance of putting egos aside in selecting the right team, following a stunning display from returning batsman Rovman Powell against England.
Ahead of the match, some considered it to be somewhat of a controversial decision to add Powell to the line-up at the expense of Odean Smith, who has also shown plenty of promise in recent innings. The result, however, spoke for itself. The captain believes it speaks to the versatility of the unit.
“It vindicated the team selection, obviously, it was a good game of cricket we batted first, and we batted well, kudos to Rovman. He came in having been out for the first two games and took his chance,” Pollard said after the match.
