“The way we are playing at the moment, we need to improve our batting line-up from top to bottom. It is clear that we are not getting enough big partnerships. Also we have many injuries. Hit and the key batsmen are out.”
His issues are not just limited to the middle order. Since Deandra Dottin’s shock retirement last year, the West Indies are yet to zero in on the opener to partner Mathews. Aliya Alleini, primarily a bowling all-rounder, had never batted above No.7 in T20Is but was pushed to open in nine matches – four against New Zealand and five against England – before the tri-series . This combination had a best partnership of 23 and was not selected in the XI against South Africa on Saturday.
Brittany Cooper, who returned to the team ahead of the series playing one last T20I in September 2021, opened the batting as West Indies chased down a target of 142, adding 32 runs for the first wicket. Timed fours before being dismissed for 14 off 13 balls. Mathews said West Indies are still trying to find their best combination at the top and backed Cooper to come good.
“Right now we are trying out players and we are giving players opportunities to earn opening spots,” Matthews said. “Brittany Cooper didn’t look too bad out there today, so hopefully she can come out there and really produce.” [what we need], [T20] The World Cup is the main target for us and we are trying different options to see what works best.
“Sometimes in international cricket, it’s about digging deep. Also we need to score some more runs at the top of the order. It doesn’t matter what’s happening at the toss because we both have Struggling to score runs.” First and second innings.”
“For now it’s just about the physios and the medical people and the coaches managing the load with Stefani,” Mathews said. “The T20 World Cup is the main picture for us in South Africa and we want to try and do the best we can for him and keep him fit and ready for the World Cup.”
