West Indies Women acclimatizing on schedule in South Africa
The West Indies Women have had two practice sessions and a warm-up match against a South Africa XI, since their arrival in South Africa last Thursday. The match was planned for both teams to get middle practice ahead of their Tri-Series with third team, India. Afy Fletcher anchored the West Indies innings with an unbeaten 41 from 58 balls which included five boundaries. Shabika Gajnabi and Shemaine Campbelle both made 14, as the West Indies posted 105-9 from their 20 overs. South Africa XI had a nailbiter in their runchase but thanks to a top-score of 29 from Delmi Tucket and 21 from Lara Goodall, they achieved their target off the last ball.
Both teams then played out two ‘Super Over’ scenarios, with each team earning a victory a piece. South Africa and the West Indies have a history of matches being decided by ‘Super Overs’, it has happened twice before with the West Indies Women winning both times.
Head Coach Courtney Walsh was pleased with the way the team has adjusted to the conditions and believes that they will start clicking in time for the Tri-Series and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next month.
He said:
“It was good to get a run out, different conditions (to back home) so it was good to assess and get some match practice. I thought playing 20 overs and then the two Super Overs was exactly what we wanted to get done. It was good to see the competitiveness so I’m happy to see what we’ve done today.”
Walsh added,
“Some people are still a bit jet-lagged, me included but the team is coming together and gelling pretty well. What I am most happy about is the togetherness in the team with everyone looking out for each other. The competitiveness with the South African team is sort of a friendly rivalry and it helps us to play better cricket, so as long as we come out on top I am happy.”
The West Indies Women will play at least four matches, playing two matches each against hosts South Africa and India. The two leading teams will then play each other in the Tri-Series Final on 2 February. West Indies will also play a warm-up match against South Africa ahead of the Tri-Series at Beacon Bay on 16 January.
Final squads for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa must be submitted by 2 February. The eighth edition of the marquee ICC Women’s event will begin on 10 February with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. West Indies have been drawn in Group 2 alongside England, India, Pakistan and Ireland.
FULL SQUAD
- Hayley Matthews (Captain)
- Aaliyah Alleyne
- Shanika Bruce
- Shemaine Campbelle
- Shamilia Connell
- Britney Cooper
- Chedean Nation
- Afy Fletcher
- Shabika Gajnabi
- Sheneta Grimmond
- Chinelle Henry
- Karishma Ramharack
- Kaysia Schultz
- Shakera Selman
- Stafanie Taylor
- Rashada Williams
FULL MATCH SCHEDULE
16 January: warm-up match vs South Africa XI at Beacon Bay- South Africa XI won by 4 wickets.
T20I Tri-Series Match Schedule
(all matches to be played at Buffalo Park, East London)
21 January: vs South Africa, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
23 January: vs India, 7pm local time (1pm Eastern Caribbean/12noon Jamaica)
25 January: vs South Africa, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
30 January: vs India, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
2 February: Tri-Series Final, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
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