NORTHAMPTON, England (CMC):

West Indies Women are banking on the arrival of the top-rated batter Stafanie Taylor to change their wretched fortunes in the five-match Twenty20 series against England.

Without the World number one batter, the Caribbean side lost the two opening matches, going down by eight wickets in the first match last Saturday before losing the second by 28 runs on Monday.

Taylor, who stayed behind in her native Jamaica to complete exams, will join the squad for the crucial third T20 here today, and head coach Sherwin Campbell is hoping she makes an impact.

"Obviously, she is the top all-rounder in the world and she will help to a huge difference to the team," he said.

"We do not want to use her absence as an excuse because the other players need to step up. But she will add a bit more to both our batting and bowling."