Deitz: WI Women need to improve in ‘lots of areas’

VADODARA, India:

West Indies Women’s head coach Shane Deitz says his team needs to address “lots of areas” following the completion of a disappointing tour of India.

The West Indies lost the T20I series 2-1 and were then swept 3-0 in the following One Day International series, which climaxed at the Kotambi International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Speaking during a post-match press conference, Deitz said the team’s attitude, fielding and fitness levels were among some of the main areas that needed addressing.

“We have to be able to bowl six balls in one spot, not just four balls and then release the pressure. We have to be able to build pressure for longer.

“Our attitude, our fitness as well, that’s a huge thing. Our batters throw their wicket away at 30, 40, you have to go on and make a hundred, that’s ODI cricket. Those are the main areas,” Deitz said.

Player of the Match Deepti Sharma bagged six wickets – her second five wicket haul in ODIs – and Renuka Singh, who was named Player of the Series, captured the other four as the home side dismissed the Windies for a below par 162 in 38.5 overs.

Chinelle Henry, in her first game of the series top-scored with 61, while Shemaine Campbelle made a gutsy 46.

Despite a few hiccups, India wasted little time in getting to their target, with Sharma returning to score an unbeaten 39 to guide them to 167 for five in 28.2 overs.

Having lost the first two matches chasing totals over 300, the West Indies chose to bat first this time around after winning the toss, but it did not solve the team’s batting woes.

In the opening match on Sunday, India racked up 314 for nine from their 50 overs, their second highest total at home in a ODI, on their way to handing West Indies their worst ODI defeat by an embarrassing 211-runs.

India returned on Tuesday to amass 358 for five, their joint-highest ODI score, to win by 115 runs.

Deitz said with regional tournaments slated to be held in early 2025, along with series against Bangladesh, South Africa and England, the West Indies Women had a packed schedule of cricket.

However, he maintained that their main focus would be to qualify for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, which is set to be hosted in India from August to September.

“We have the Bangladesh series coming up and then our Regional 50-over competition and the Qualifiers, they’re just after that so we have to make sure that we qualify for the World Cup first and then we have series against England and South Africa.

“So, we have a lot of cricket coming up, but we have to make sure we play well in that Qualifier to make sure we’re here next year for that World Cup,” Deitz said.

– CMC