Stafanie Taylor Lauds West Indies Coaching Staff

West Indies women cricket team skipper Stafanie Taylor credited the team management led by head coach Courtney Walsh for creating a massive impact on the team. Walsh, who played 205 ODIS and 132 Tests for the West Indies men’s team from 1984 to 2001, was appointed the head coach of the women’s team in October 2020.

Under Walsh, the Stafanie Taylor-led side has defeated Pakistan women’s team twice in the ODI series with the series scoreline of 3-2 and 3-0 but lost to South African women on both occasions.

A lot of that is down to the coaching staff: Stafanie Taylor

The West Indies skipper said that the team has learnt many things they weren’t aware of before and seems confident as they head to New Zealand for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.

“The West Indies are heading to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in a good space, the like of which I have not seen for a long time,” Taylor wrote in a column for the ICC.

“A lot of that is down to the coaching staff. Courtney Walsh took over as head coach in 2020 and the impact that he and his team have made has been huge. They have been able to teach us things that we were just completely unaware of previously. 

“It makes you wonder what sort of players we could be if we had learned some of these things sooner. What sort of player would I be if I knew at the age of seven or eight, what I know now?” she further wrote. 

My advice to youngsters of the team is to enjoy themselves: Stafanie Taylor

Taylor was named the captain of the West Indies side for the marquee event as Cricket West Indies named a 15-member squad on Sunday. Off-spinner Anisa Mohamed, who led West Indies against South Africa in the final ODI in Taylor’s absence, has been named as the vice-captain of the team.

Eight of the 15 players were part of the previous edition of the tournament which was also led by Stafanie Taylor herself. The West Indies skipper has asked her teammates, who are playing their maiden World Cup, to enjoy the tournament.

“We still have a few players from the 2017 World Cup, and players like Deandra Dottin, and Hayley Matthews are in good form,” Taylor said.

“There are also a lot of youngsters who we have been able to integrate into the side. For those playing their first World Cup, my advice to them is to enjoy themselves. There will be nerves, there is no way around that, but they just need to enjoy the opportunity,” Taylor said.

“We need to play well across all three phases. Our fast bowling depth is looking good with Shamilia Connell in good form, and that could be very useful in the conditions over here. We are just really excited to get started because the team is in a really good space.”

West Indies women will play the hosts New Zealand in the opening match of the World Cup 2022 on March 4 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Also Read: Stafanie Taylor Set To Lead As West Indies Announce 15-Member Squad For Women’s ODI World Cup