GROS-ISLET, St. Lucia, CMC- Merissa Aguilleira who led a recovery, despite West Indies Women’s opening lost to Pakistan Women, is confident the Caribbean side will rebound for the remaining three One-Day Internationals (ODI).
Aguilleira hit her fifth One-day International half-century, but Javeria Khan topped it with her seventh to lead the Pakistani Women to a six-wicket victory over the Windies Women in the day/night contest at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
“Thanks to god. Thanks to the coaches as well I have been working pretty hard back in Trinidad. David Williams, he put in a lot of work with me,” said Aguilleira, who also keeps wicket for the regional side.
“It’s all about going out there and applying myself I have been training hard and I really want to give the team something so that is exactly what I went out there and do”.
Aguilleira led a recovery with an unbeaten 67 from 83 balls, propelling the home team to a respectable 222 for nine from their allocation of 50 overs, after they sent in to bat.
Aguilleira struck five fours to revive the innings and with Britney Cooper, who scored 37, got Windies past 150.
The homeside was able to plunder 66 off the last 75 balls to end on 222 for nine.
“Coach told me I have a responsibility to go out there and bat long and that is exactly what I tried to do. Sorry that the team fell short but I believe that we are going to bounce back,” said the former skipper.
“These are the things that happen and we really need to just go back to the drawing board and see where we went wrong. 27 extras was a bit too much. We know that we have a very good team but it just about going out there and applying ourselves. But hard luck”.
The Windies Women now trail in the four-match series 0-1, but Aguilleira said they will be looking to bounce back in the second ODI on Sunday at the same venue in the first of the three matches in the series with ICC Women’s Championship points on offer.
“I truly believe that with the potential of the girls everything will come to hand. Even though we lost this one we still have three to win and you know its championship points,” said Aguilleira.
“We just have to go out there and apply our self to what we are called to do and don’t give up hope”.
