T&T has put its seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Guyana behind them. This according to T&T skipper Merissa Aguilleira.
T&T was upset by Guyana on Tuesday, in the second round of competition in the Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze, currently being held in Jamaica.
While acknowledging that her team has put itself a bit on the back foot, the West Indies wicket-keeper/batswoman explained that it’s an all too familiar position that her side has gotten themselves out of before.
“After losing against Guyana yesterday, we know the position we have put ourselves in so we have no choice but to make sure and win the rest of our matches,” said Aguilleira.
“For the past couple of years we have been putting ourselves in this position and sometimes, it just brings out the best in us and hopefully it works just as it has in years gone by.”
Understanding that her team must now win all its remaining matches if it has any hope of defending its title, she says the goal now is to stay focused, but also enjoy their cricket. The team she says has already regrouped, acknowledged their mistakes and is looking forward to moving on positively.
“Yes, it was really disappointing for us, but the mood in the camp is great, we came together, we sat down, we had some fun, we relaxed, we put it behind us and now it’s all about moving forward. There was nothing really to go back to the drawing board about, but just minor mistakes we made at certain points and we will be looking forward to defending our title.”
T&T won’t be in for a smooth ride though, as the Bajans, who they face from 10.30 am today, have stayed on top of their opponents in the first two rounds. While they stumbled a bit against the Windward Islands in their first match, being bowled out for 101, but returning to win by 18 runs, they dominated the Leeward Islands in a brief but exciting ten-wicket win on Tuesday.
Barbados packs an arsenal of five West Indies players, including the world No 1 T20 all-rounder, Hayley Matthews, hard-hitting, Deandra Dottin and WI opening bowlers Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell.
Speaking ahead of the match, Matthews explained that while Barbados has what it takes to overcome T&T, they also know it won’t be easy.
“We know Trinidad will be our hardest match up so far, but we also know that we have a very strong team and we are capable of beating any team in the competition,” said Matthews. “Obviously in the last two years, they’ve dominated the tournament so we know that if we can get over T&T it would be a major step for us towards winning the title.”
The 20-year-old said her team is confident that it can win, especially coming off two wins and commended her side for the team effort its has exhibited thus far in the competition and hopes Barbados can carry it into its remaining matches.
Also in action today are Jamaica versus Leeward Islands from 3.30 pm and Guyana against Windward Islands. Both the Leewards and Windwards are without wins in the competition so far, while Guyana lost to Jamaica in their opening match and the hosts remain unbeaten.
Editor’s Note:
Coverage is provided courtesy Caribbean Women Entertainment Sport Network (CWESN), a non-profit organisation dedicated to covering women in sport. Follow them on FB and Twitter @CWESN, IG @cwesportsnet or visit their website www.cwesn.com for women’s sport coverage.
