Walsh impressed by young Guyanese spinner Schultz

West Indies Women’s Head Coach Courtney Walsh was impressed with the efforts of emerging bowlers Steffi Soogrim and Kaysia Schultz, who delivered standout performances during the squad’s first intra-squad 50-over match in Antigua Thursday.

Soogrim of Trinidad and Tobago returned figures of 3-5 from 4.5 overs, while Guyanese Schultz had figures of 3-36 in the match won by Anisa Mohammed’s XI over Stafanie Taylor’s XI.

“We had a low-scoring game, but I was particularly pleased to see the effort by all the ladies on both teams. Even more impressed with the likes of young Soogrim and Schultz, the way how they bowled and the effort they put in. Also, the opening attack of Connell and Aaliyah Alleyne kept the batters on guard,” Walsh said.

“It was a challenging wicket when we saw Deandra bat and then later on when Stafanie and Hayley batted, chasing the low score. We saw some good signs, a lot of positives to work from but still work to be done. I think all in all it was a good outing for just the first game and definitely, we will be working on improvements for the remaining matches.”

Batting first, Mohammed’s XI were bowled out for 112 in 30.5 overs thanks largely to Soogrim and Shamilia Connell, who took 2-14 from the four overs she bowled. Deandra Dottin did her best to counter to incisive bowling, scoring an unbeaten 51 while facing 80 balls.

Chasing 113, Taylor’s XI lost Hayley Matthews for 19 and Taylor for 26 as the side were bowled out for 104.

The 23-year-old Schultz was the standout; the left-arm orthodox bowler exhibited good control already demonstrating the benefits of the camp. (Sportsmax)