Barbados Women's Captain Emphasizes Importance of Fundamentals Amid Key Player Absences

Barbados Women’s captain Aaliyah Alleyne has underscored the importance of executing the fundamentals as her side seeks to make the most of its talent without key players Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin.

Speaking at a Cricket West Indies press conference yesterday, Alleyne stressed that discipline across all aspects of the game would be the key to consistent success.

With Windward Islands up next on Wednesday, Alleyne stated “If we stick to our blueprint, we will have more wins. “I think for us we have to be disciplined both in our bowling and in our batting and we have to improve our fielding. Overall in all three aspects we just have to come and play good hard cricket and be as consistent as possible. We have to do all the right things for a long period of time. We already recognise that 50 over cricket is hard, we just have to go out there and play hard cricket.”

Barbados conceded 27 extras in their 11 run victory against Guyana Women on Monday which made for a tight finish to the contest. They posted 185-5 thanks to fifties from captain Asabi Alleyne and experienced batter Kyshona Knight who made 57* and 54, respectively. In reply, Guyana battled up to 172 all out right before the game threatened to go down to the death.

However, while the immediate focus is on regional competition, individual performances could have broader implications, as standout displays may earn players selection for the West Indies Women’s squad ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in April.

Acknowledging the significance of the upcoming tournament in Pakistan, the 30-year-old all-rounder admitted, “I think that’s very important. I think as a team we have all eyes on the qualifier. I think that’s going to be a very important tournament for us. Although we are here playing regional cricket, we still have to improve our fitness. I think that’s key because we’re looking at the bigger picture which is qualifying for the World Cup down in the year which is our priority now.”

That, however, does not mean the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup has been relegated to a secondary priority. Alleyne affirmed that she and her fellow captains – Jamaica’s Rashada Williams and Trinidad & Tobago’s Karishma Ramharack – are committed to performing at their best in the current tournament.

She explained “For now, we (West Indies women players) are here in St Kitts and we are going to focus on this competition (CG United Women’s Super 50 Campaign)….I think I speak for all three of the captains here-Rashada Williams of Jamaica and Karishma Ramharack from Trinidad) that once selected, we want to go in to qualifiers feeling sound and in a good space to do whatever we have to do for the rest of this team.”

“We have one eye on the qualifiers in Pakistan and the teams we are going to meet there but at the end of the day, we have to practise well, prepare well and make sure that we put performances together as individuals and as a team.”

The Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, set for April 4–19 in Pakistan, will see West Indies Women competing against Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan, Scotland, and Thailand. The two finalists will secure a coveted place in the Women’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled for October in India.