Taylor among the runs as WI Women play first practice match

After two weeks of intense training since arriving in Derby for the Sandals West Indies Women’s Tour of England 2020, the West Indies Women played their first practice match.

West Indies Women are intensifying preparations ahead of the five-match Vitality T20 International series against England Women, starting on September 21 at the Incora County Ground.

The 18 players were divided into two squads captained by Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin.

Taylor’s team took first strike and posted 131-6 from their 20 overs, with an unbeaten knock of 71 from 52 balls from the captain, which included nine fours, followed by 24 from Britney Cooper.

Aaliyah Alleyne with her pace, was the best bowler for Team Dottin, as she scalped 3-35, and Shekera Selman took 2-15. Dottin led her team well in the run-chase as she scored a quick 41 off 43 deliveries, but it just wasn’t enough to hold off the defence from Team Taylor.

Sheneta Grimmond was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-16, followed by Shamilia Connell with 2-23 as Team Taylor won by eight runs.

Speaking after the match, interim Head Coach Andre Coley said: “We’ve been here for two weeks doing a combination of various skills sessions in the nets, strength and conditioning and game-planning, but today was our first time to get as close to a game scenario with this practice match.”

“We split the teams as evenly as possible and some very promising performances came out of that. Both teams were able to bat the full 20-over innings… players spent time at the crease building partnerships. So that was good to see, and we are happy with how things went. Now it’s just about fine-tuning and building momentum leading into the series next week.”

Since arriving in England, West Indies Women have had training sessions during the quarantine period. They will have one more practice match on Wednesday before the start of the series on Monday (September 21) at the Incora County Ground.

MATCH SCHEDULE

Vitality T20I Series

Monday September 21: 1st Vitality IT20, England v West Indies

Wednesday September 23: 2nd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies

Saturday September 26: 3rd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies

Monday September 28: 4th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies

Wednesday September 30: 5th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies