Power: Windies Women must be more ruthless

Former West Indies cricketer Stephanie Power has congratulated the regional women for their win over Sri Lanka in the three-match 50-over series at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba but said she was not particularly impressed. West Indies swept the series 3-0 on Sunday, led by captain Stafanie Taylor, who won the Player of the Series after ending with 117 runs and eight wickets. Despite the series win, Power said she expected a more ruthless and dominant showing as Sri Lanka are ranked lower than West Indies.

Power said, “I will say congratulations (to West Indies), but not well done because the fact that we are ranked fifth and Sri Lanka is ranked eighth. We have been steadily beating Sri Lanka because we had previous series with them where we won. We beat them in the World Cup, so if we have to beat Sri Lanka, we have to do it comprehensively. I expected a better showing.”

In the first ODI last Wednesday, Sri Lanka posted 136 all out in 49.4 overs, before West Indies got to 138 for four in 39 overs. Power said in the first ODI, West Indies should not have taken so long to chase the total.

“We should stamp our authority on teams that are lower ranked than us. It is good that we won the series and I say congratulations, but I wanted a more positive approach.” Power said other than the batting, the other aspects of the West Indies performance were of a high standard.

“Overall I think the field placing was great; Stafanie did a good job because I saw her thinking, changing the field and putting pressure on the batters and the bowlers bowled quite well. I liked the energy on the field, they ran around quickly, they got to the ball and threw it in quickly. Their fielding and bowling was good, but I would like to see improvement in the batting.”

The ex-Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies captain said experienced players such as wicketkeeper/batter Merissa Aguilleira and all-rounder Deandra Dottin delivered at some point during the series but she is concerned that the team is too dependant on Taylor.

“Stafanie is a class player and she always leads from the front. What they have to be mindful of is if Stafanie does not make runs, (there must be) somebody else to step in. If Hayley does not make runs (opening the batting) we have Stafanie coming in at three. Stafanie is Ms Dependable, she will make runs. We need to get somebody stepping up with Stafanie.”

Power said Aguilleira will make quick runs, but somebody else needs to stay long and bat long, while Dottin is normally dependant but her form is not the best of late. She also hailed Shakera Sellmon and Hayley Matthews for their bowling efforts.

West Indies and Sri Lanka will begin a three-match T20 series in Antigua tomorrow. “I would like to wish them luck in the T20. We are world champions, if we beat Sri Lanka in the 50-over series I can’t see Sri Lanka putting up a fight in the T20.”