BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor says her side will need to make adjustments from the Twenty20 format if they are to be successful in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.
The Caribbean side clinched their first-ever World title last year when they won the T20 World Cup in India and will be one of the favourites in the 50-over version which runs from June 24 to July 23 in England.
Taylor said while winning the T20 World Cup had brought them to the fore, a different approach was now needed for the 50-over campaign.
“Winning the T20 World Cup would have boosted (respect),” the Jamaican told reporters here just hours before the squad left for England on Wednesday.
“We know that it’s not the T20 World Cup, it’s a different competition – 50 overs – where it is going to take time, not just 20 overs so I think we just need to apply ourselves.
“I’m very happy where we are at so hopefully we can build on that going into the camp (in England).”
Beaten finalists in the last Cricket World Cup four years ago, the Windies Women face a tough road to the title this time around.
Rather than the group format of the last World Cup, which also featured a Super Six round, each of the eight teams will now play each other on a round-robin basis, with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals.
West Indies open against reigning champions Australia on June 26 and follow up with a tricky assignment against India three days later, before taking on South Africa on July 2.
They then face New Zealand (July 6), Sri Lanka (July 9), Pakistan (July 11) and hosts England (July 15).
Taylor said most teams have become stronger as a result of the ICC Women’s Championship, making the Windies title bid even more challenging.
“I think playing each team (in the Women’s Championship) would have helped. You basically think it is a level playing field,” she explained.
“Australia are basically up there and I don’t think we are very far from them. All teams are improving and I think we have improved. We know we still have some way to go but I am pretty much happy with where we are at.”
She added: “All the teams are good. Teams have improved over the last year or over the last two years so I think we just need to take each team at a time.”
The 15-member squad features four uncapped players – Reniece Boyce, Quiana Joseph, Akeira Peters and Felicia Walters – with seasoned campaigners like Britney Cooper and Stacy-Ann King being overlooked.
Taylor said the camp over the last week here had helped to integrate the new players into the squad.
“It’s four new players, players who have been playing at regional level and everyone knows everyone, so I don’t think it’s that hard,” she said.
“This four-day bonding camp was to get players together and get the gelling going … and I like how the camaraderie is going so I am pretty much confident going into the World Cup.”