Aguilleira praises players for stepping up

MUMBAI—Captain Merissa Aguilleira has credited an all-round team effort by West Indies Women for their 48-run victory over New Zealand in their second Super Six, second round match in the ICC Women’s World Cup at Brabourne Stadium Monday.

West Indies kept its chances of qualifying for the ICC Women’s World Cup final alive with its win over New Zealand and will try and cement its place against Australia in the final Super Six game today.

Aguilleira has commended her players who stepped up, including Shanel Daley and Anisa Mohammed for adding 45 valuable runs for the ninth wicket to push their side past 200 after they suffered sporadic batting slumps.

“It was pleasing to see the other players stepped up when it mattered. Anisa Mohammed deserves a special mention. While batting, she did exactly what the team needed,” said the West Indies captain.

“We had a target in mind and we achieved it. I am really pleased with the all-round effort”. Batting first, West Indies finished with 207-9 off its 50 overs before its bowlers put on an all-round show to dismiss New Zealand for 159.

Stafanie Taylor scored 49 valuable runs to swing the momentum back in her side’s favour after they stumbled to 75 for three losing early wickets including two in the first ten overs.
“It was a great match. I have to give credit to everyone in the team. They executed all areas of the game well and need to be complemented for that,” said Aguilleira.

“Once we had 200 runs, we believed we could defend it. We have a good line-up of spinners—Stephanie Taylor, Shanel Daley and Anisa Mohammed. We knew we had a good score on the board, the bowlers did their job perfectly to take us home.”

West Indies must beat Australia on Wednesday to join them in the ICC Women’s World Cup final on 17 February. However, if the West Indies lose, then it will come down to net run rate between them and the winner of the match between New Zealand and defending champion England.