West Indies Women Make Successful Start to Australian Tour
The West Indies Women’s cricket team kicked off their tour of Australia with an impressive 4-wicket victory over a New South Wales (NSW) Women’s team at Wilson Park in Sydney. The win was a great way for the West Indies team to start their tour and Head Coach Shane Deitz expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance.
Batting first, the NSW Women struggled against the off-spin duo of Karishma Ramharack and skipper Hayley Matthews. They managed to post a total of 105/9 from their 20 overs, with Sammy-Jo Johnson being their top-scorer with 28 runs, followed by Hannah Darlington with 24. Ramharack finished with impressive figures of 3-0-12-3, while Matthews contributed with 2-0-7-2.
In response, the West Indies Women chased down the target successfully, with Shemaine Campbelle leading the way with a solid knock of 33 runs from 34 deliveries, including five boundaries. Captain Matthews also made a valuable contribution with 24 runs off 27 balls. Aaliyah Alleyne (19 not out) and Zaida James (15 not out) guided the team to victory in just 17.5 overs.
Coach Deitz acknowledged that there are areas the team needs to improve on, especially in adapting to the Australian wickets with their extra pace and bounce. However, he was pleased with the team’s all-round performance and believes it puts them in a good position for their upcoming matches.
The ODI series against Australia marks West Indies’ fourth fixture in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-2025, following matches against New Zealand, England, and Ireland. Each match in the championship provides a valuable opportunity for West Indies to earn points and climb the rankings. Currently, they sit at 9th place out of ten teams in the championship table. After the Australia series, the West Indies Women will have four more three-match ODI series over the next two years. The top five teams at the end of the Championship will secure a berth for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025, along with the host nation India. The remaining teams will have to go through the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
The West Indies Women’s victory against the NSW Women’s team sets a positive tone for their Australian tour. They will be aiming to build on this success and continue their winning momentum as they progress through the ICC Women’s Championship. With their sights set on securing a spot in the 2025 World Cup, the West Indies Women’s team is determined to give their best on the field and make their mark in international cricket.
