SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Captain Hayley Matthews has embraced the urging of new head coach Shane Deitz to “play with freedom”, as West Indies Women prepare to face powerhouses Australia Women in the opening Twenty20 International today (9:20 pm, yesterday Eastern Caribbean time).
Australian Deitz will be overseeing his first series after stepping down as Netherlands head coach earlier this year to take up the appointment with the struggling Caribbean side.
“We are definitely up for the challenge. At the end of the day if we are going to compete with the best teams in the world, that’s the brand of cricket we are going to have to play,” said Matthews.
“Teams are now scoring 160-170 runs in T20 games and I don’t reckon anyone’s going to score or win games by just nudging it around.”
Matthews, still new to the role of captain after taking over from veteran Stafanie Taylor last year, is leading a side with a blend of youth and experience.
The likes of Taylor, vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle, Afy Fletcher and Shamilia Connell bring the required experience while teenagers – off-spinner Ashmini Munisar, all-rounder Zaida James and batsman Djenaba Joseph – provide the youthful element to the squad.
Matthews said the inexperienced players were champing at the bit over the experience Down Under, which will see West Indies Women clash with the hosts in three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals from October 1-14.
“Our young players are eager. They’re here without the burden of expectations, ready to seize every chance they get in the middle to showcase their skills. Their enthusiasm might just translate into some stellar performances,” she pointed out.
“Not only the younger players, but everyone within the team has to have freedom to go out there and push their boundaries, push their limits and that’s what we are encouraging.”
Deitz takes over from West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh who was sacked last April, after two-and-a-half years in the post.
The 48-year-old, a former first class batsman, is the latest in a series of appointments to the post in recent years, with the likes of Robert Samuels, Gus Logie and Andre Coley all featuring in interim roles.
Matthews said Deitz had integrated well with the squad.
“He’s gelled really well with the group and tried to get into the culture of the girls a little bit,” she explained.
“At the same he’s spoken a lot about us progressing in the right direction and getting the youngsters to a certain standard and becoming a more consistent team.”
West Indies take on the Aussies in the opening T20I at North Sydney Oval here, and opposing captain Alyssa Healy believes the dominant Matthews will be the main threat for the visitors.
“They’ve got two of the best players in the world at the top of the order and some really damaging new-ball options as well,” said Healy.
“If Hayley Matthews gets going at North Sydney Oval it will be really hard to stop.
“We aren’t taking them lightly at all. I don’t think you can take any team in world cricket lightly at the moment. Everyone is beating everyone, which is great for our sport, so we’ll have to put our best foot forward.”
SQUADS:
AUSTRALIA – Alyssa Healy (captain), Tahlia McGrath (vice-captain), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
WEST INDIES – Hayley Matthews (captain), Shemaine Campbelle (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor. Rashada Williams.
