Photo Credit: ICC
West Indian people are loud and proud but few were making much noise about their chances at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022.
That has now changed, according to Shakera Selman.
The Maroon Warriors have defeated New Zealand and England in their opening two games, both in dramatic conclusions to put themselves in pole position for a semi-final spot.
Now, the West Indies take on India in Hamilton whose own top-four hopes have taken a hit after their defeat to the White Ferns.
Selman said: “It is really good to get off to a good start. We’re pumped to have won our first two games especially against two highly ranked sides – two teams we haven’t done well against in recent times.
“First time we’ve beaten New Zealand in New Zealand, and the first time we’ve beaten England in an ODI World Cup, so we’re really excited as a team.
“But we’re not getting carried away, we know that we’re going to have to keep fighting, it is going to get harder.
“Our coaches have reminded us that we came into this World Cup pretty much under the radar. Now teams are going to be focusing on us, so we know it’s going to get tougher.”
The West Indies will play at their third ground in as many games having already appeared in Tauranga and Dunedin, an approach the fast bowler believes may be working for them.
“It [the Hamilton wicket] was a bit different, we saw the pacers get a bit of swing and a lot of bounce yesterday,” she said.
“The spinners did also get some purchase – I think [Amelia] Kerr was able to turn the ball quite a lot, but maybe she turns it on anything.
“The pitch looks really good, we’ve been travelling quite a bit. I don’t know maybe it’s working in our favour, we’re not able to overthink.
“We just have to play a really good game tomorrow, it doesn’t matter what pitch we’re playing on.
After India’s batters were stifled by New Zealand’s bowling in Hamilton on Thursday, head coach Ramesh Powar has called on his players to single themselves out with big performances.
“I think it was one of those days where things didn’t go our way and honestly, I was also surprised the way we batted 20 overs and if you look back last six games which we played against New Zealand, we were executing our plans well,” Powar said.
“I think it is the pressure of a World Cup, but I don’t want to give any excuses. This is the right time to put your hand up and put up performances because we’ve been training for the last six months.
“We’ve been to England, Australia. We’ve been to New Zealand early so we got every practice opportunity, which was needed so it is time as a group to stand up and deliver.”
