Batting worries West Indies Women’s coach

Head coach of the West Indies Women, Courtney Walsh, admits he is concerned with the depth of their batting for the three-match one-day international (ODI) series against New Zealand.

The series was expected to begin today, but the start was postponed because of the threat of Tropical Storm Fiona, which is expected to affect Antigua and Barbuda, where the first match was scheduled to be played.

"I would say that I'm concerned. We are all concerned in terms of the batting. We have Hayley (Matthews), Stafanie (Taylor) with her experience and other batters there, but no one is showing that level of consistency.

There's a fair amount of batting around, but we want to see other people take it up as their responsibility of being consistent. I think that is what has been lacking in this team for the last couple of seasons and this is a chance now for people to put their hands up," Walsh said.

Adding to the retirement of prolific all-rounder Deandra Dottin from international cricket, West Indies will be without veteran spinner Anisa Mohammed, who announced that she will be taking a six-month break from cricket.

Walsh believes this is an opportunity for the other players to raise their game and make a name for themselves.

"It's a major point losing two players of their quality, but I think it's an opportunity and a chance for others to step up to the plate and as I said, if we could get a level of consistency from the other batters, then that will help us.

"With the young spinners that we have around, with Anisa not being there, it's a chance for a (Krishma) Ramharack or (Sheneta) Grimmond to put their names up. It's an opportunity for someone to put their hand up and get competitive," Walsh added.

Matthews, ahead of her first series as captain of the West Indies, has received the backing of Walsh, who hopes that the 24-year-old Barbadian all-rounder will help create a winning culture for the team.

"We're trying now to create that winning culture where we believe a lot more in ourselves and have that unity when we get out there. Hayley, who has been in the wings, wants the girls to go out and play good, hard cricket and leave everything on the park," said Walsh.

New Zealand's full tour of the West Indies will comprise the three ODIs and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20I), with all games to be played at North Sound, Antigua.