India women get boost, West Indies look for improvement

INDIA HAVE been given a big boost ahead of their ICC Women’s T20I World Cup 2023 match against the West Indies today.

Victory over Pakistan in the team’s opening match came despite the absence of star batter Smriti Mandhana.

The 26-year-old was forced to sit out the match as a precaution due to a finger injury and watched on as her teammates produced an inspired run-chase to beat neighbours Pakistan by seven wickets.

But, with the key fixture against West Indies fast approaching, India were hopeful of being able to recall the batter, ranked third in the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Batting Rankings.

“Yeah, she’s been working very hard,” India coach Troy Cooley revealed to reporters as the team prepared for the game at Newlands. “It’ll obviously be assessed after today.

“She did everything [that] was needed to be done today and from us, we’ll look at how she pulls up.

“But we’re pretty confident. She got through the session today and did everything she needed to do.”

Only Australian duo Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney are ranked higher than Mandhana in the format.

The Indian star has already played 112 T20Is for India, averaging 27.32 at a strike rate of 123.13.

And if India are to go all the way and win their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, then they are likely to need Mandhana fit and firing.

The meeting with West Indies is the first of two matches scheduled to be held at Newlands in Cape Town today, with Pakistan facing Ireland in the day’s second game.

Meanwhile, the West Indies will be banking on a return to form of former captain, Stafanie Taylor.

Taylor, playing in her first match in months, looked a shadow of herself, but said it was expected.

IMPROVEMENTS

While fast bowler, Chinelle Henry, who watched as the West Indies suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of a powerful-looking England, has said she expects to see improvements.

“I have no doubt that when we come together as a unit on any day, like what everybody says, that West Indies just know how to turn up, so I mean, if we go there and play our game against India, like we did in this match, then we definitely could beat them.”

Courtesy of icc-cricket.com