Restricting Australia batters key, says Taylor

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

West Indies Women’s bowlers will have to do a better job at containing Australia’s explosive batting lineup if they are to stand a chance of making a comeback against them in the ongoing One-Day International series.

The visitors produced a superb batting performance in Friday’s opener at Warner Park on their way to registering a comfortable 103-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

Six of Australia’s first seven batters scored above 40 to give their side a solid start and helped them post a massive total of 341.

Even though Taylor delivered with the bat by scoring an unbeaten 105 – her eighth WODI century – no other batter scored 40 as the Windies reached 238 for eight in their 50 overs.

Speaking after the match, Taylor, who also took two wickets with her part-time off spin, said the bowlers needed to be on target against the top-ranked WODI women’s side in the world.

“With Australia batting first they are going to come hard at us. I think we need to bowl well, and I think that’s going to be the key.

“Their batters are in good nick and they do hustle between the wickets and they do push you, so I believe that we have to come good with the ball,” Taylor said.

“…We’ve won a few games against them and especially at home, so hopefully if we can get a few wins here at home it would be really nice.

Despite the result, Taylor admitted that it felt good to finally score a century against Australia.

She said while it would have even more special if it had resulted in a win, it felt good to spend some time at the crease.

“I literally said to myself, ‘long overdue’. I think against Australia I’ve gotten close to making a 100 but never really crossed the line, so it was nice to spend some time at the wicket.

“We didn’t get the win that we wanted, I’m a bit disappointed in that. I wish we had someone in the middle to boost the middle with me batting through, but nevertheless, a 100 is a great feeling,” Taylor said.