ICC Women World Cup 2022: Not the best batting display from us – Stafanie Taylor

West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor admitted that it was not the best batting display from them after they lost against Australia in the 14th match of the ongoing ICC Women World Cup 2022 at the Basin Reserve, Wellington on Tuesday by seven wickets.

West Indies Women were skittled out for a paltry score of 131 runs after Stafanie Taylor won the toss and elected to bat first.

In fact, West Indies had managed only 162 runs against India despite getting a 100-run opening stand from Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin. Meanwhile, West Indies got off to a horrid start against Australia as Ellyse Perry struck twice on consecutive deliveries in her maiden over to remove Hayley Matthews and Kycia Knight.

Perry then also accounted for Deandra Dottin and West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Perry and Ashleigh Gardener took three wickets each for Australia while Jess Jonassen bagged a brace. On the other hand, Taylor was the lone warrior for the team as she scored a fighting fifty to help her team get past the 100-run mark.

Australia was able to chase down the target in the 31st over as Rachel Haynes scored an unbeaten knock of 83 runs.

Stafanie Taylor said in the post-match presentation, “Not the best batting display from us. As a group, we pride ourselves with the bat. We didn’t assess the conditions that well. We reckoned anything over 250 would have been good. We spoke about the fact that 130 was well below par but we tried as a bowling unit. We still have three games left. We have to leave this behind us. Wish I had someone to build a nice partnership.”

On the other hand, Meg Lanning was delighted with her team’s dominating bowling performance. This is Australia’s fourth win of the ongoing showpiece in as many matches.

Lanning said after the game, “It is about adjusting to the conditions and the breeze. We have got such depth. Anyone who comes in wants to contribute. Early wickets today helped. They have some clear plans with the ball. Rach and Moons did extremely well with the bat. Ideally, don’t want us to lose early wickets. A 7 out of 10 for the batting display today. Unsure of what Auckland will have to offer. It would be a new venue and would be exciting.”

West Indies will next face Bangladesh Women at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Friday.