We have the edge over Aus: Aguilleira
First Published : 17 Feb 2013, 01:20
Last Modified : 17 Feb 2013, 01:20
The Merissa Aguilleira-led West Indies side will be playing for their maiden World Cup title when they take on former champions Australia in the 2013 ICC Women’s World Cup final at the Brabourne Stadium. In the run-up to the final, the women from the Caribbean have displayed some powerful performances and won all their Super Six matches. They held their nerve in tight situations as they beat their various opponents, including Australia, who they will be facing off against in the title clash.
Speaking to the media ahead of the day-night encounter to be played on February 17, the West Indies captain reflected on tournament and anaylsed her team’s performance so far.
Excerpts from her media conference:
On the way the tournament has panned out for them
This tournament has been a roller coaster for us, full of ups and down and I guess that is where the true spirit lies where we can come back from. We had faith in God and he really carried us through this situation. I must say we stuck together as a team and we motivated each other.
On whether they expected to make it to the finals
Looking back to the South Africa series, we lost two matches and then went on to win the last four. So I guess this is definitely a rehearsal of sorts that has happened before. We really had the intention of doing this [and] I guess we timed it well.
On the future of WI cricket
The future of West Indies cricket is really bright and it can be brighter after the finals. It will not be good just for us, but for the people of the Caribbean as well and also for Women’s cricket in general. To know that we came from nowhere and to be in the finals, shows the progress that is happening right now.
On whether they have an psychological advantage going into the final after beating Australia in the Super Six stage
Yeah definitely we will have an advantage over them. In that game everything went wrong for us in the morning because we had a few players falling ill and one of the players got injured so we had to pull her out. I think it was just God who saw us through in that game. But after all it was a big accomplishment for us so. All we have to do is go out and do more of it. […]
We have seen them [Australia] and the more we have seen them, the better idea we have of how they play. I guess it is more for us to analyse. It will be good on the lines that we will go there and accomplish something big for the people of the Caribbean as well. I guess it is a good opportunity to play against them again and they are a wonderful team so we will have to bring on our A game.
On West Indies women’s cricket
We have been really working hard and I must compliment the Board as well because they are really investing in cricket in the West Indies. Cricket is the one thing that brings all the people of WI together. The more we go there and represent, the better it is for the people of Caribbean. So it is all about representing and being good ambassadors.
On coming into the tournament as fifth seeds and then making the finals
It is the best feeling, because we have nothing to lose right now. We have gained everything. Yes, it will be good to know that we can actually get the trophy. We have been playing good cricket, believing in each other and ourselves.
On the likely return of Australian pacer Elyse Perry who missed out on the previous game
We know she can be a really dangerous player, but I believe Holly Ferling too is a Perry in disguise. After seeing her we understood her on the lines of Perry. She’s more aggressive, so I guess we have experienced her without playing Perry.
