MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – West Indies Women captain Hayley Matthews believes improvement for her side will come through structural improvements in the Caribbean and a personal desire for players to excel.
The losing trend for the Caribbean side continued here last weekend when they went down 2-0 to Australia Women in the One-Day International series to follow up their 2-1 defeat to the hosts in the preceding Twenty20 International series.
“I think just working harder and wanting to be better as players, finding ways and doing more research on our own game and the opposition that we come up against,” Matthews said.
“There are a lot of factors that can go into improving your game. Obviously, with our structure back home, it can be challenging to get perfect match practice.
“[That’s] why tournaments like the WCPL that we’ve just been a part of are so important.
“But for sure, I think it goes hand in hand with the board and players to want to get more infrastructure and, at the same time, for the players to work harder on their game and improve.”
West Indies Women fielded a young side during the series, with teenagers Zaida James and Djenaba Joseph opening the batting in the first ODI.
To further develop the squad’s younger members, a West Indies Women A side comprising several players from the Australia series will tour Pakistan starting next week for three ODIs and four T20s.
Matthews believes the tour will be an excellent learning curve for those players already learning their trade at the international level.
“I think it’s going to be great. I think we’ve got seven girls from this tour heading down there, and I think it’s going to be a great level of cricket for them to go and play,” she explained.
“And not only learn but hopefully get some confidence from the games.
“It will be a real test for them and a real tell for them to see where they’re at personally.
“Australia is quite tough opposition, but over in Pakistan, getting the opportunity to play the A-team stuff, the girls are coming up against other ladies they can perform well against.
On the recent tour, Matthews was the leading player for the Caribbean side, taking the Player-of-the-Match award in every T20 International before emerging with the Player-of-the-Series honor after dominating with the bat.
However, she missed the opening ODI with a leg injury, and even though she recovered significantly enough to turn out in the remaining games, she conceded the injury needed to be managed carefully as she prepared for her campaign in the Women’s Big Bash.
“It was just a Grade One tear, but since that third T20, I’ve been in a pretty pain-free zone and managing it well. Hence, the reason for me missing the first game,” she said.
“But simultaneously, I wouldn’t have returned unless I felt fit.
“Representing West Indies is essential and something I always want to do and give my all to.
“I’m glad that I’ve been able to come back, and I’ve been managing well with it, and I’m ready to get going in the WBBL now that this is all over.”
Matthews will turn out for Melbourne Renegades in the October 19 to December 2 tournament.
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