Laura Delany: “[Asked if they were too tense in the field] I think we were actually pretty relaxed but that may not have reflected in the way that we fielded. I thought we batted with great intent. I think the last five overs are something that we will look at from the first innings. And then in the field, we just have to be better in the field if we want to compete with some of the best sides in the world. The best players give you one opportunity and if you don’t take it, they’ll take the game away from you. I’m sure there were definitely nerves out there for a lot of the girls because it’s the first World Cup that they’ve played in. We’ve trained much better than that and performed much better than that so that’s one area that we’ll definitely want to correct ASAP. [On the Prendergast/Lewis 90-run partnership] I reckon we were probably about 30 runs short. Orla and Gabby batted really well. Orla is so confident at the moment and is making the most out of the time in the middle and I hope they continue that form into Monday. It’s a tough one. We’ve got a very young side and a lot of these girls haven’t played in a World Cup before so there will definitely be nerves that were there in the second innings but I know we are better than that. We’re not here to fight, we’re here to win games. That’s what it comes down to. [On facing India] The best is yet to come.”
Hayley Matthews: “It got pretty tight in the end but it was a good all-round effort that we were able to get to the total. [On the Prendergast/Lewis partnership] I think we gave them a bit too much width but we knew a few wickets and we were right back in it. Kudos to the way Karishma Ramharack bowled. She was beautiful in the way she held the team together while everything was going rough and then we were able to pull it back and get them restricted to a better total in the end. It was a great team effort to restrict Ireland to 137 after the start they got off to. We’ve lost a lot of games in a row so to get that first win on the board not only for the World Cup but for a long stretch now was really really good. We always knew England and India were going to be tough but I think these last two games are going to be a test of where we are at as a team. Hopefully, against Pakistan, we can carry this momentum going forward. [On playing without Dottin and Taylor] We’re going through a bit of a transitioning phase but at the same time, it’s really good to see the young girls getting out. Young Zaida James and Trishan Holder were on the side today and these times are going to test us and how we can stay together as a team. We need to stay together through the wins and the losses and keep building as a group and keep getting a bigger pool together.”
Player of the Match is Hayley Matthews: “I think as captain and as one of the leaders in the batting lineup, we needed someone to bat through the innings and that’s the role I tried to take on today. There was definitely a lot of pressure. We knew it was a score that we needed someone to bat through the innings really deep in order to get. Kudos to the Irish girls. They bowled really well and bowled in some really good areas at points in time. But I think it was a complete team effort the way Chinelle Henry came in and batted. Even Shabika Gajnabi the end way she was able to hold her own was really good as well. Kudos to the Irish girls for the way they bowled, but also I’m really proud of the team too. For me, I just had to take up a bit more responsibility [as captain]. At the same time, over the last couple of weeks and games, it has been helping me to bat deeper as well. It’s obviously a new role that I’m taking on but it’s helping me in a lot of ways.”
WI WMN vs IRE WMN Highlights today, Friday 17-2-2023. 13th Match, Group 2, Newlands, Cape Town, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.
Ireland has won the toss and chosen to bat first.
West Indies Women team: Hayley Matthews (c), Rashada Williams †, Shemaine Campbelle, Zaida James, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Trishan Holder, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell.
Ireland Women team: Amy Hunter, Gaby Lewis, Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany (capt.), Eimear Richardson, Louise Little, Mary Waldron (wk), Leah Paul, Arlena Kelly, Cara Murray, Jane Maguire.
Head to Head In T20I’s: 4
West Indies Women Won: 4
Ireland Women Won: 0
West Indies Women T20I Rankings: 6th
Ireland Women T20I Rankings: 10th
Form guide
(last five completed T20I’s, most recent first)
West Indies Women LLLLL
Ireland Women LLWLW
Match Timings: 5:00 PM GMT | 7:00 PM Local
Umpires –
TV Umpire –
Match Referee –
Reserve Umpire –
Match number – WT20I no. 1368
