DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – West Indies Ladies’s captain Hayley Matthews admitted her staff struggled to adapt to the situations in Dubai, contributing to their 10-wicket loss to South Africa of their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Friday.
Talking after the match, Matthews expressed disappointment over her staff’s efficiency, each with the bat and ball, within the sizzling and humid situations on the ICC Academy. West Indies managed solely 118 for six from their 20 overs, a goal South Africa simply chased down with out shedding a wicket, reaching 119 in simply 17.5 overs.
“Clearly a fairly disappointing recreation,” Matthews stated in a post-match interview. “Firstly, not scoring sufficient runs on the board and we might have preferred to have taken a number of wickets and no less than put up a bit extra of a combat within the second innings. However with a recreation in two days’ time, we’re going to need to get issues again collectively shortly and decide up the items.”
The West Indies innings by no means obtained going, hampered by a robust South African bowling assault and difficult taking part in situations. West Indies misplaced key early wickets, with Matthews herself falling cheaply for 10 to the skilled Marizanne Kapp within the powerplay. The out-of-sorts Qiana Joseph additionally struggled earlier than being bowled for 4 by Nonkululeko Mlaba, because the staff slumped to 31 for 2 after six overs.
Matthews acknowledged the problem
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Matthews acknowledged the problem posed by the Dubai warmth however urged her staff had not tailored shortly sufficient to the situations. “It’s fairly sizzling right here in Dubai. I’d in all probability need to say it’s the most popular place I’ve ever performed cricket and even been to, and that’s saying one thing coming from the West Indies. We’ve been right here for about two weeks, fortunately, and we’ve been capable of acclimatise, however we in all probability didn’t adapt to the situations in addition to we might have at this time.”
South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt (59 not out) and Tazmin Brits (57 not out), made mild work of the modest goal. The pair placed on a commanding show with each batters scoring half-centuries as they coasted to victory with 13 balls to spare. West Indies’ bowling, which included eight totally different bowlers, failed to search out any breakthroughs, compounded by an unlucky incident the place Zaida James was struck within the face off her personal bowling and compelled to depart the sphere after delivering only one ball.
Regardless of the setback, Stafanie Taylor offered a glimpse of stability throughout the West Indies innings. Returning to the aspect, Taylor performed a vital hand with a measured knock, navigating the innings with 35 runs, whereas partnering with Shemaine Campbelle (17) so as to add 30 for the fourth wicket. Nonetheless, Mlaba’s four-wicket haul (4/29) proved decisive, as she dismissed each Campbelle and Chinelle Henry in fast succession, stifling any potential momentum for the Caribbean aspect.
Matthews praised Taylor’s resilience, notably as she struggled with bodily discomfort throughout her innings. “Stafanie took cost of the sport properly all through the center, nevertheless it was clear she was battling some cramping points, which made working between the wickets difficult.” Taylor finally hobbled off the sphere after an innings-saving contribution.
Cautious optimism
When requested in regards to the situation of each Taylor and James after the match, Matthews shared cautious optimism. “I haven’t seen both of them because the match ended, however Zaida’s damage appeared like a blow to the jaw. She’s a troublesome lady, so we’re hopeful she’ll get well in time for our subsequent recreation.”
The West Indies will now flip their consideration to essential upcoming group stage matches in opposition to Scotland, Bangladesh, and England. Matthews remained centered on regrouping and getting ready for his or her subsequent encounter, realizing the significance of bouncing again from the heavy defeat.
“With a recreation in two days, we now have no alternative however to maneuver on and are available again stronger,” Matthews added. “We’ll want to deal with the problems we had at this time with each bat and ball if we wish to be aggressive going ahead.”
For South Africa, the dominant efficiency will increase their confidence as they goal to go one step additional than their final T20 World Cup marketing campaign, with Wolvaardt and Brits rising as formidable threats for any future opposition. Their scientific show in Dubai has firmly established them as sturdy contenders within the match.
