ICC Women's World Cup: Windies not worried by tough group

Mumbai - Skipper Merrisa Aguilleira has conceded that the West Indies women will be campaigning in a tough group but says her charges are not worried as they prepare to do battle in the ICC Women’s World Cup in India.

Aguilleira’s women, who lost their warm-up fixture against Australia Monday by 135 runs, are in a group featuring defending champions England, hosts India and Sri Lanka.

The Windies women have been improving since the last World Cup in 2009, where they finished fifth.

“England are the champs so we know they will come to win again,” said Aguilleira.

“We had a few matches against them (back in 2010 at home) and we beat them, but it will be different conditions in India. They will present a stern test for any team in the tournament.”

The West Indies qualified for the 2013 event after winning the World Cup Qualifier in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2011.

The Caribbean side has yet to win an ICC Global event, but has been reaching semi-final stages of competitions.

“The Sri Lankans have been progressing and we always keep a close eye on them. We can’t under-rate them,” said Aguilleira.

“India have the home advantage and that will count for something in this tournament. They have good all-round strength and will be a force to be reckoned with.”

The Windies enter the tournament full of confidence after rebounding from 0-2 to tie the ODI Series 2-2 against South Africa, with one match being rained off.

They then easily won both matches to take the two-match T20 rubber earlier this month as well.

Aguilleira led her side to the semi-final of the ICC Women’s World T20 Sri Lanka 2012 before losing to Australia.

“We didn’t go all the way in Sri Lanka, but I’m sure we showed the world how good we are at the international level.”

–IANS/CMC

bs/dg