ICC Women World Cup 2022: We couldn’t bowl the way we wanted to – Stafanie Taylor

West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor admitted that they couldn’t bowl the way they wanted to against India in the 10th match of the ongoing ICC Women World Cup 2022 at Seddon Park, Hamilton on Saturday.

India posted a massive total of 317 runs on the board after Mithali Raj won the toss and decided to bat first.

Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia gave a quick start to the team as the latter scored a quickfire knock of 31 runs off just 21 balls. However, India lost three quick wickets however Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana batted at the top of their game.

Mandhana scored a fine knock of 123 runs whereas Kaur played a brilliant inning of 109 to continue her rich form. The duo added 182 runs for the fourth wicket stand as they stitched a match-winning stand.

On the other hand, all the West Indies bowlers conceded their runs at an economy rate of more than 5.50. In fact, five out of the seven bowlers gave away their runs at an economy rate of six. Thus, the Windies bowlers failed to keep Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana at bay.

Meanwhile, Hayley Matthews and Deandra Ditton added an aggressive opening partnership of 100 runs in 12.2 overs. Ditton was the aggressor as she scored 62 runs from 43 balls despite struggling with her back injury whereas Matthews scored 43 runs. Ergo, it was the only positive for the West Indies.

Stafanie Taylor said in the post-match presentation, “I don’t think we bowled the way we wanted to. Gave away too many short balls. I thought Harman and Smriti batted really well. We just couldn’t get back from that. The start they gave us was brilliant. Probably it was important for one of them to stay there. But they did really well. The batters who came in didn’t capitalize. The positive would be the opening partnership. I think we did well in that area. Dottin is good as well (Injury concerns put to rest).”

Meanwhile, this was West Indies’ first loss of the tournament after they had won their opening two matches. Stafanie Taylor-led team will look to bounce back stronger in the upcoming match.

West Indies will next play Australia at Basin Reserve, Wellington on Tuesday.