Confidence rising in Windies Women camp

— ahead of semi-final clash with New Zealand

MUMBAI, India, CMC-Confidence is said to be high among West Indies Women as they prepare to battle against New Zealand Women in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai tomorrow.

Anisa Mohammed
Anisa Mohammed

A senior member of the team, top bowler Anisa Mohammed, who was named player-of the series the last time the Windies Women met New Zealand, says the players are backing themselves to advance to the final round.

“Last time we played against New Zealand I had a pretty good run and got player of the series in that tournament,” said Mohammed, the woman with the most wickets in West Indies cricket history.

“Besides me I think all the girls we are confident that we can beat New Zealand. We have a better record against them.”

It is the fourth time that the Windies Women have reached the semi-finals of the WWT20.

However, they have never played in the final and Mohammed said the aim of the Caribbean side is to correct this in a bid to claim a first ever global title.

“We are playing here in India where the conditions would more suit us than New Zealand,” said the Trinidad and Tobago spinner.

“The only time New Zealand really dominated against us was when we played against them in New Zealand when the conditions suited them. So I think we have that psychological advantage over them going in on Thursday.”

West Indies have been criticized in some circles for relying heavily on Captain Stafanie Taylor and all-rounder Deandra Dottin on the way to the semi-finals.

Taylor and Dottin played crucial roles with bat and ball to help the Caribbean side secure their spot in the penultimate round with a three-run win over India after suffering a one-wicket loss to England.

“A lot of people are saying that we depend on both of them. But I think cricket is not a one man game and without the support of the others they can’t really perform as well,” said Mohammed.

“There is a lot of support from the other team players. So I think that once they have that support they would go on and continue performing for us and we have other players that would step up to the plate once given the chance.”

Tomorrow’s semi-final between West Indies Women and New Zealand Women will be played at the Wankhede Stadium.