Windies Women ready for England series- Taylor

Fresh from their historic victory over Australia in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 earlier this year, West Indies Women will go about showing that their triumph was no fluke when they take on world-rated England Women in the five-match one-day international series, starting today at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium.

In what will be their first international fixture since their win, the West Indies will enter the contest ranked second on the latest ICC Women Championship with 20 points, one ahead of England, who are third.

A qualifier for the ICC Women World Cup in England next summer, the eight-team Women Championship is led by reigning world champions Australia on 30 points, with New Zealand fourth on 16. India, South Africa, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are the other competing teams.

Two points are offered for qualifying-match victories, with one point given for a no-result.

The top four teams at the end of qualifying, which culminates later this year, will advance automatically to the World Cup, with the bottom four slated for a play-off.

"I wouldn't say tough, but I know it's going to be a challenging one,'' said West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor, ahead of the opener, which, like the second fixture, will not offer points towards qualification.

The final three matches of the series, however, to be played at Sabina Park, will offer points.

"They definitely have good players, but I think we are quite equal, and as such it should be a very good match-up," she added.

Coached by Vasbert Drakes, the West Indies will enter the series with more higher-rated players than England.

Leading the way is the decorated Taylor, who is currently ranked fifth on the latest ICC Women one-day international batting rankings, fourth in the bowling equivalent, and number one on the all-rounder chart.

OTHER PLAYERS

She is followed by teammate, the big-hitting Deandra Dottin, who is ranked ninth in batting, and off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, who is ranked third in bowling.

England, in the meantime, has front-line batter Sarah Taylor, occupying the number seven position on the batting rankings, and Katherine Brunt, Jenny Gunn, and Anya Shrubsole controlling the number two, eight, and nine posts on the bowling chart.

WI Women Squad: Stafanie Taylor - captain, Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Erva Giddings, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt.

England Women Squad: Heather Knight - captain, Sarah Taylor, Anya Shrubsole, Katherine Brunt, Jenny Gunn, Tammy Beaumont, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Alexandra Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones, Beth Langston, Natalie Sciver, Lauren Winfield, and Danielle Wyatt.