WICB president says Windies showing clear signs of progress

Gros Islet (St.Lucia), Feb 20 (IANS/CMC) West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief Julian Hunte believes the regional women’s team victory over Australia in the super-six stage of the ICC Women’s World Cup is proof of their development.

The Caribbean side beat the Aussies in their final super-six game to book their place in the final, which they subsequently lost Sunday, in a rematch with Australia, reports CMC.

Their earlier victory, however, was their first ever over Australia in ODIs.

“The entire family of West Indies Cricket and the Caribbean region as a whole are immensely proud of the performance of the West Indies women,” Hunte said.

“While they did not win the title, they advanced to the final by defeating more favoured and acclaimed teams, including the eventual winners Australia.”

“That the West Indies were the only team to beat Australia in the tournament is also testimony to their growing stature in international women’s cricket.”

The West Indies opened the tournament with heavy loss to Australia in their only official warm-up before also going down badly in Group A to hosts India in the tournament curtain-raiser.

They crushed Sri Lanka to squeeze through to the second round where they knocked over South Africa, New Zealand and Australia to clinch their place in the final for the first time ever.