‘Underdogs’ West Indies bank on standout performers for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup
West Indies are placed in Group B of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 along with England, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Scotland.
West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews is well aware of what her team needs to do in the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup.
“We're going in as underdogs again and there's no doubt about that,” Matthews spoke on ESPNCricinfo’s Powerplay podcast. “I think we're in a pretty good group at the moment looking at the two of them but look, we obviously do want to get out of that group stage and it would be great to win.”
But qualifying for the semi-finals from the group stage isn’t an end goal for Matthews.
A prolific performer for the Women in Maroon over the years, the all-rounder is confident that individual brilliance can carry a side on its day.
“One thing we could be looking at is the fact that a T20 game can be won through a performance and it only takes one really big one on a day. We saw that when we went to Australia. No one, probably ourselves, would've ever thought that we'd be going down there and chasing 212 to win a match.
“That puts us in pretty good spirits going into a T20 World Cup knowing that if one of us or two of us can bring our A-game each day, we can probably do a lot of damage.”
Matthews' words are backed by her performances. She was the leading star in West Indies’ win over Australia in the match held at Sydney, which was the highest chase in Women’s T20Is, with a brilliant 132 to her name. Her numbers in the shortest format since January 2023 have been exceptional, with 1013 runs at an average of 53.31, and 27 wickets at 17.51. For this consistency, she was awarded the ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year award for 2023.
Matthews stated that she learnt to lead from example from her former skipper Stafanie Taylor, and wanted to follow the same whenever she walked out on the pitch.
“One thing I learned from a player like Stafanie Taylor with her captaincy is the way she was able to go out and set an example on the field. She played a massive role in every big performance that we had and she led by example, scoring runs, taking wickets.
“I've tried to emulate that part of it and just being at the front of the team and setting an example on the field specifically, but off the field as well, creating a culture where we can all be one, we all have one goal that we want to go towards.”
The former England star discusses the big hitting batter.
A significant boost for the West Indies is the return of all-rounder Deandra Dottin, who overturned her international retirement last week. Matthews is looking forward to speaking to Dottin concerning her plans with the West Indies going ahead.
“With Deandra [Dottin], one thing I can say for sure is she is someone who, when she steps onto the field, she is going to give 100 percent every single time
“It's quite fresh news for us, this has only come about over the last few days or so. I want to have discussions with her and with the team as well.”
West Indies have won the Women's T20 World Cup once, in 2016 in India. They made the semi-finals in the 2018 edition at home, but have since failed to make the final four.