‘Big opportunity’ for Windies girls, says Head Coach

Windies Girls

Kingston, St Vincent – As the West Indies Women continue their intense preparations for the upcoming series against Pakistan Women, Head Coach Sherwin Campbell says the tour will be a “big opportunity” for the team to continue its development and for players to step up and announce themselves on the world stage.

The Windies are presently in camp as they prepare for the eight-match series – four One Day Internationals and four T20 Internationals. The first One Day International is on Sunday at Arnos Vale in St Vincent. First ball is 9.30 am (8.30 am Jamaica Time).

The West Indies Cricket Board Selection Committee named the 14-member squad after the WICB Women’s 50 Over League which was played in Barbados earlier this month. There are two newcomers – Kycia Knight, a 19 year-old left-handed batter and wicketkeeper, and Shaquana Quintyne a 15 year-old leg-spinner, both from Barbados.

“We saw some very good performances during the tournament in Barbados and all the players are eager and ready for the upcoming series. We are confident. We play very well at home and we believe we have what it takes to be beat Pakistan,” Campbell said.

“This series is a big opportunity for all members of the team – the new players as well as the experienced players who make up the backbone of the team. We will be focusing on player development as we build for the future. We have several teenagers in the squad and this is a chance for them to learn and get a feel for the game at the international level. We will take it day by day and match by match. The nucleus of the squad has been together for quite some time now and we continue to make progress. We are looking to improve in all areas.”

After this series the Windies will prepare for the International Cricket Council’s World Cup qualifiers in Bangladesh in November. They will also be working towards the ICC World T20 Championship in Sri Lanka in September, 2012 and the World Cup in India in 2013.

West Indies and Pakistan will play the last two T20 Internationals under lights at the Guyana National Stadium, and Campbell said this will be much-needed exposure for the players.

“Playing under lights will be a golden opportunity for these girls to get even more exposure. Night matches and day/night matches are a norm at the international level so it is very good that the WICB has decided to give the girls two matches under lights.

“It will be very good for us to play and experience the conditions under lights as we have the ICC World Cup qualifiers coming up and then onto the next ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka and the World Cup in 2013.

“We are very happy with the support we are getting and this is another chance for the players to improve on their rankings and for the team to move up the table,” Campbell said.