MUMBAI – Coach Sherwin Campbell says the West Indies Women’s defeat of favourites Australia has lifted his players’ confidence ahead of their first World Cup cricket final tomorrow.
West Indies top the table with eight points and a net run-rate better than Australia after beating them by eight runs to conclude the Super Six stage of the 50-over tournament with a 100 per cent record after three matches.
The Caribbean side had earlier beaten South Africa and New Zealand in their Super Six fixtures but Campbell said the win against Australia motivated the players going into the final.
“Mentally, it’s good for us,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “We will take the positives from this game into the finals and it gives the players confidence and self-belief that they can beat a top team. And that’s half the job done.”
Five-time champions Australia had been unbeaten in the tournament before playing West Indies who were not considered among the strongest teams before the World Cup began.
Campbell said it was always a good feeling to play in any final and that the girls worked hard to get to that stage.
“I always tell the players that you’ve got to believe in your ability and work hard,” he added. “If you have the right attitude, you can beat any team. It makes us recognised in ICC tournaments, which is excellent for the team.”
The former West Indies cricketer said that after the men’s team won the World T20 in Sri Lanka in October, a victory for the women would add to the list of positives.
And he is hoping more girls in the Caribbean will be encouraged to play cricket.
“I don’t think women’s cricket gets enough mileage [in the Caribbean] so it’s good that this World Cup is shown on television and shown all over the Caribbean.” (CMC)
