Dominica, Feb 23: West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira hit an unbeaten 39, despite a right hamstring injury, to guide her side to a four-wicket win against India Women. The win gives the West Indies Women a 2-1 lead against the visitors in the five-match T20I series. Following the result, Aguilleira stated that her team will be aiming for an unassailable 3-1 lead heading in to the fourth match.
“We have a chance to wrap up the series with a win tomorrow and we will be going all out to do that,” the wicketkeeper-batswoman was quoted as saying after the match.
“It will be tough. We are playing against a higher ranked team and they are very competitive, but we are also a good team and we believe we can do it tomorrow. We are aiming to win this [T20I series] and also the One-Day Internationals. We know we can do it,” Aguilleira said.
Chasing 84 to win, the hosts were tottering at 10 for the loss of three wickets before Aguilleira brought the quest for victory back on track. Speaking about her innings, she said, “It is always good to lead from the front. Today we lost some early wickets, but we still had plenty of time in the game when I went in.
“I am not a power-hitter so I was able to settle in and work the ball into the gaps and build an innings. That was ideal for me. Yes, there was the pressure of losing wickets, but time was on my side and I was happy with the way I stayed there and guided the team to victory,” she elaborated.
Having received treatment during her innings, Aguilleira explained, “I had to fight really hard today. I had to be brave. I had to fight the pain. My hamstring gave me some problems but we will have that fixed and I will be ready for tomorrow’s match.
“I am pleased that I was able to stay at the crease and do the job for the team. For me it is always all about the team. We were in a hole and, as captain, I knew I had to stand there and bat till the end,” Aguilleira told the media.
