President Hunte hails Windies Women victory over South Africa – confident of top 4 World Cup placing

St John’s, Antigua — President of the West Indies Cricket Board Dr. Julian Hunte has hailed the West Indies Women for their comprehensive series victory over South Africa in the recently concluded Twenty20 International series.

“Our beloved Windies Women demonstrated continued progress by completing two outstanding victories to take the T20 Series trophy and the Board congratulates Captain Merissa Aguilleira, Head Coach Sherwin Campbell and all the players and team management for the excellent work done towards this important series triumph,” Dr. Hunte told WICB Media.

WICB President Dr Julian Hunte pose with the West Indies Women after their T20I Series win over South Africa – WICB Media and Randy Brooks photo

“While there were some outstanding individual performances what was most impressive was the total team effort displayed by the Windies Women who continue to move from strength to strength as they built towards their World Cup campaign in India starting on January 31st,” Dr. Hunte added.

The West Indies Women won the two Twenty20 Internationals played at the Beausejour Cricket Ground at the weekend by 8 wickets and 6 wickets respectively.

In the first match West Indies Women sped to 114-2 off 18.2 overs in reply to South Africa’s 113-7 off 20 overs. Deandra Dottin, playing in her 50th T20I stroked a blistering 48 not out off a mere 30 balls.

In the series decider, South Africa were limited to 94-6 off 20 overs and the home team overhauled the total with only four wickets down and with two overs and 4 balls to spare.

Previously West Indies fought back bravely from being 0-2 down to draw the five match ODI series 2-2 with one match being abandoned due to rain.

“I wish to especially congratulate Deandra Dottin on the most historic achievement of becoming the first West Indian woman to feature in 50 Twenty20 Internationals. It will remain an incomparable achievement and the Board looks forward to her continued strong performances at the highest level as she works towards another 50 appearances,” Dr. Hunte said.

The WICB head also highlighted that he was pleased with the spirit shown by the team.

“Merissa Aguilleira and her team continue to demonstrate the will to win and show that no matter how desperate the situation may be, they will fight back and try to even the score. The entire West Indies cricket family salute the team for their exemplary performances which are an inspiration to women in particular but also to all cricket fans in the Caribbean and elsewhere,” Dr. Hunte added.

The Windies Women left the Caribbean on Tuesday and have arrived in India for the World Cup Campaign. They will play in Group A alongside defending champions England, hosts India, and Sri Lanka. Group B will include Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa.

“Now, as they embark on what is their most important engagement yet, the expectations are high and we are confident that they have been properly and adequately supported and provided for in terms of preparation and support staff, that we have no doubt that they will be able to meet, or indeed exceed, the targets set for them as part of the Board’s Strategic Plan,” Dr. Hunte remarked.

“The Board is confident that the Women should finish in the top four and further we believe that they possess the skill, talent, experience and have been facilitated with top class preparation that they can go all the way and emulate the West Indies Men team who brought home the ICC World Twenty20 title last year,” Dr Hunte urged.

FULL SQUAD:

Merissa Aguilleira (Captain)

Stafanie Taylor (Vice Captain)

Shemaine Campbelle

Shanel Daley

Deandra Dottin

Kycia Knight

Kyshona Knight

Natasha McLean

Anisa Mohammed

Subrina Munroe

Juliana Nero

June Ogle

Shaquana Quintyne

Shakera Selman

Tremayne Smartt

Team Management Unit

Sherwin Campbell – Head Coach

Pat Greenidge – Team Manager

Andre Coley – Assistant Coach

Janel Springer -Physiotherapist

Amena Highland -Fitness Trainer

Dinesh Mahabir – Video Analyst

MATCH SCHEDULE

Warm-up matches

January 28: vs Australia at Cricket Club of India

January 29: vs Pakistan at BKC

Tournament matches:

January 31: vs India at Wankhede Stadium (day/night)

February 4: vs Sri Lanka at MIG

February 6: vs India at Cricket Club of India (day/night)

Super Six matches: to be played on February 9, 11, 13, 15

FINAL: February 17 at Cricket Club of India (day/night)