Mumbai, Jan 5: The West Indies women’s cricket team that has recently arrived in India for the upcoming series comprising five ODIs and three Twenty20 matches is in high spirits. The team will be playing the Board President’s XI in a warm-up game on January 8 before taking on the Indian Women’s team in the first ODI on January 10 in Mumbai.
Speaking to BCCI.TV on the occasion, West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira said, “We hope to continue from where we left in South Africa.”
Coach and former West Indies cricketer Sherwin Campbell said that they had a very balanced and well prepared team in place.
About the composition of the team, he said: “[There are] five spinners, everyone in the team can bowl, [it’s a] pretty balanced team. Everyone can do everything”. When asked about the role of spinners in the sub-continent he said, “Having a good spinning unit [and] different types of spinners – off-spinners, leg-spinners, left-arm spinners, [is] very typical for Indian conditions.[In]women’s cricket spin has been dominating so we are prepared for that”.
Team manager Marjorie Thomas said that the buzz back home was pretty high as playing in India was always an opportunity to prove one’s ability.
“Interest back home is very high. [Supporters] are looking forward to what we are doing here. We are not yet at the top of the ranking and what we are doing now is climbing the ladder. We are looking forward to taking up a step from where we are. We are coming here to really work with [the Indians women’s team], to see how we can improve our cricket. We are looking forward to an exciting tournament here,” she said.
Women’s cricket around the world has always been in the shadow of men’s cricket and never managed to generate the kind of interest it deserves. Thomas, however, believes the scenario is changing for the better. “[The] women’s team does not share the same amount of popularity as the men’s team but it is growing and I think right now we share the same amount of popularity as the men,” she said, striking a hopeful note.
A conversation on West Indies cricket can never be complete without the mention of Brian Lara. When asked whether any of the team members had the potential to match the skill of the legendary batsman, Thomas said, “You will be the judge of that when you see. At the end of the tournament we would like to hear your opinion on that”.
On a serious note, Thomas explained that a format for the development of women’s cricket was being worked on. “We have a nursery for the development of women’s cricket. We have Under-13, Under-17 and Under-19 [set-ups]. So we have a nursery for the senior team and I think women’s cricket is in good hands,” was her opinion.
All eyes on the two teams out to prove their mettle on the international stage. For updates on the series, stay logged on to BCCI.TV.
