Walsh warning against complacency
West Indies Women's cricket team head coach Courtney Walsh says he will be reiterating to his team that complacency cannot set in, despite the team pulling off a remarkable upset win over defending champions England at the ICC Women's World Cup on Tuesday.
The Windies Women secured their second straight victory of the tournament in a seven-run win, first posting 225 for six and then restricting England to 218 all out in 47 overs and four balls.
The West Indies Women got good support with the bat from wicketkeeper and player of the match Shamaine Campbelle, who top-scored with 66, with Jamaican Chedean Nation chipping in with an unbeaten 49.
The duo put on 123 runs for the fifth wicket after Hayley Matthews had earlier made 45 and Deandra Dottin 31.
Shamilia Connell then bagged three wickets to go with two wickets from Matthews and two from Anisa Mohammed to restrict the English women.
The Windies sit second on the eight-team table on four points, and with perennial contenders India up next in a few days, Walsh is keen on keeping his unit grounded with still a lot of cricket to play.
"We believe we have a very good chance of going all the way," he said. "With those two wins behind us, we are not going to get complacent. One game at a time, this is what we will be looking to focus on."
Walsh says despite both wins, the West Indies has still not yet played a perfect game, with the team still showing inconsistencies in bowling and fielding.
Walsh was, however, pleased that some of the other batters, namely Campbelle and Nation, have begun to show their true quality, and it is for the team to continue to work hard and show the type of fight, which has seen the team pull off narrow wins over two of the top teams in the tournament.
"Hopefully, we can just keep ticking the right boxes and enjoy the other games," he said.
"Once we do that, we will give ourselves a chance. They can give a good account of themselves and go all the way."
West Indies Women will play India next at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday in a day-night encounter. The first ball is at 8 p.m. Jamaica time.