KARACHI, Pakistan – Former skipper Stafanie Taylor says she expects West Indies Women to be up for the spin challenge when they face Pakistan Women in an eight-match white-ball series starting here Thursday.
Stafanie Taylor (left) chats with current captain Hayley Matthews during a training session.West Indies Women take on the home side in three One-Day Internationals and five Twenty20 Internationals from April 18 to May 3 at the National Bank Stadium, and Taylor believes the Caribbean side already possess the know-how in their ranks to combat the home side’s slow bowling threat.
“It’s definitely a challenge. We’re not trying to think too much of it and [will] try to focus on each ball at a time whenever we go out there and play,” said Taylor.
“It is not a case where we’re not experienced in playing spin and yes, they’re a team that is actually full of spin bowlers.
“[But] we know most of their spin bowlers and we’ve played against most of their spin bowlers so it’s not something that we’re not familiar with.”
Taylor is one of the seasoned campaigners in the 15-member squad, having already featured in 154 ODIs and 117 T20 Internationals.
She is joined by captain Hayley Matthews and vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle, both known to be competent players of spin.
The trio will form the core of West Indies Women’s batting while fast bowler Shamilia Connell and leg-spinner Afy Fletcher, provide the experience in the bowling.
Taylor, Matthews, Campbell and Connell were all members of the squad which swept Pakistan 3-0 in the last series here three years ago, and Taylor backed the visitors to triumph once again.
“Obviously we were here the last time and had a really good time,” said the 32-year-old.
“I think we came out on the better side of things [but] that’s the past and this series is a fresh one for us – for both teams actually. We’re hoping we come out on the better side again.”
She continued: “Looking at the [ICC] table we definitely want to be in the top five, top four and the starting of this series is a chance to actually get there and to improve.”
West Indies Women underwent a week-long preparation camp in Dubai which ended last weekend and head coach Shane Deitz said they would now be applying the finishing touches ahead of the opening game.
“We had a great warm-up camp in Dubai. We also had a week of practice [with] ODI scenarios as well as some nets so we’re really ready to play now,” said the Australian.
“So for the next few days we’re just going to get used to conditions and be ready to start from the first ODI.”
