Caribbean News Now!

MUMBAI, India -- Two of the youngest members of the West Indies team will both have crucial roles to play at the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup in India. Shemaine Campbelle, the lively allrounder, and Shaquana Qunityne, the baby-faced leg-spinner, are eager to get onto the fields in Mumbai and show their star qualities. Both were key to the Windies’ recent good showing against South Africa in the five-match ODI Series and the two-match T20 Series.

Campbelle, the Guyana captain, was given the chance to bat at Number 3 and made a stroke-filled 47 in the final One-Day International at Windsor Park in Dominca. She added a record 117 for the second wicket with Stafanie Taylor, the leading player in the women’s game.

“I’m quite comfortable batting one-down (Number 3) as that is something that suits me fine. I am not a big-hitter so I always look to spend time at the crease and accumulate my runs,” said 20-year-old Campbelle, who is also a steady slow bowler and back-up wicket-keeper.

“Before when I was batting down the order, things used to get a bit hectic. Against South Africa I was happy to get a chance to move up the order and that helped me to settle. I felt I played quite well, especially in the last match which was a must-win situation.”

Looking ahead her second ICC Women’s World Cup tournament, Campbelle outlined her game-plan. “The first thing is to get used to the conditions, the climate and the atmosphere. Batting-wise, my approach will be pretty much the same as usual. The key is to build an innings and put down a foundation for the team.”

Quintyne, the schoolgirl from Barbados who turned 17 earlier this month, is in her second year on the world stage. She was the leading Windies bowler in the series, with nine wickets at just 13.11 runs per wicket. This included career-best 4-14 in the crucial third ODI at Windsor Park in Dominica.

“I am feeling really comfortable and relaxed with the World Cup coming up. I know it is a big tournament for us and everyone is talking about it, and once I stay settled I know I will do very well for West Indies,” Quintyne said.

“I have been receiving a lot of support from my team-mates... they are always encouraging me. I know I have a main role but they don’t put any pressure on me. I just enjoy playing the in this team.

She added: “I did a lot of work at the Sagicor HPC before we played against South Africa and that worked well for me. I bowled a lot slower than I did before and I worked on a few variations, including a change of angles against different batters. I was happy with the way I bowled and will look to keep it up in India.”

Reads: 1124


Tweet