Windies Women switch focus

DHAKA – Already qualified for the 2013 World Cup after winning their fourth straight Group game on Sunday, West Indies Women have now switched their focus to capturing the ICC qualifying tournament.
The Caribbean side trounced hosts Bangladesh by 80 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, to follow up wins against Ireland, Pakistan and Japan in their previous matches.
“We feel great to qualify for the World Cup. We were here to achieve that goal and it feels really good to make it,” captain Merissa Aguilleira said.
“The mission is not accomplished, however. We performed well as a team . . . we stuck to the basics and I’m happy with the direction this side is moving in.
“We came to this event to play six matches, to qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup and to play in six matches to make it to the final. We’ve accomplished the qualification part of our target, which feels fantastic, and now it’s about the next two games and winning the event.”
In the semi-final, West Indies will face the winner of the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka play-off which was played last night.
Aguilleira, meanwhile, was full of praise for all-rounder Shanel Daley who stroked 61 and then took two for 17 with her left-arm spin to win the Player Of The Match award against Bangladesh.
“Shanel showed her consistency . . . she went out to bat and knew she had to stay there and steady the innings and she did just that and then took two wickets in the Bangladesh innings, so she had a great game for us,” the skipper said. (CMC)