WI Women: Soogrim and Schultz impress with performances
Two excellent performances from young bowlers, Steffi Soogrim and Kaysia Schultz, were the highlights as the West Indies Women had their first intra-squad 50-over match of the ongoing camp in Antigua.
Soogrim with her left arm off-spin, finished with figures of 3-5 from 4.5 overs, and proved a lethal combination when paired with experienced fast bowler Shamilia Connell who took 2-14 from her four overs.
They were in top form and led to Anisa Mohammed XI being bowled out for 112 off 30.5 overs in the day/night contest at Coolidge Cricket Ground. Experienced all-rounder Deandra Dottin was able to combat the bowling efforts and top scored with 51 not out from 80 balls, which included 6 fours.
In the run-chase Stafanie Taylor XI started slowly but confidently against a solid bowling attack from the Mohammed XI. Hayley Matthews navigated the opening overs cautiously despite losing two partners, fending off consistency from the opposing bowlers.
Matthews scored for 19 and Taylor made 26 but they fell short of the target by eight runs.
Schultz was the standout bowler with excellent figures of 3/26. The twenty-three-year-old left arm orthodox, bowled with very good control and has already started to show the great benefits of the work at the ongoing camp.
Speaking after the match, Head Coach Courtney Walsh reiterated the purpose for this camp.
“We had a low-scoring game, but I was particularly pleased to see the effort by all the ladies on both teams. Even more impressed with the likes of young Soogrim and Schultz, the way how they bowled and the effort they put in. Also, the opening attack of Connell and Aaliyah Alleyne kept the batters on guard."
The West Indies bowling legend added: "It was a challenging wicket when we saw Deandra bat and then later on when Stafanie and Hayley batted, chasing the low score. We saw some good signs, a lot of positives to work from but still work to be done. I think all in all it was a good outing for just the first game and definitely we will be working on improvements for the remaining matches.”