KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC– Coach of Jamaica’s women’s cricket team, Cleon Smith, says all-rounder Stafanie Taylor deserves her promotion to captain of the West Indies women’s cricket team.
Taylor was appointed to replace the long-serving Merissa Aguilleira as Windies women prepare for the home series against Pakistan starting next month.
Taylor considered the most decorated of West Indies Women players, has led Jamaica to an impressive five straight titles since her appointment as captain in 2010.
“Stafanie’s appointment is much-deserved,” said Smith, who has been coaching the 24-year-old since 2006.
“She has been captaining for Jamaica for quite a while, and has been winning championships over and over, so there is no doubt about her ability to lead.”
Taylor has a one-day batting international average of 45.88 from 49 matches, including three centuries and 13 fifties.
Smith believes Taylor, a former ICC Women’s Cricketer of The Year, will also get the support of her teammates on the regional side.
“When you have a star player, who is humble, respected, and has a good relationship with players, it says a lot,” said Smith.
The West Indies, who are slated to have a training camp in St Lucia later this month, will play Pakistan in four One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 International series in St Lucia and Grenada.
The final three one-day matches will count towards qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup in England in 2017.
