Conjuring up dots in power play is the root of West Indies' batting problem, believes Merissa Aguilleira

England defeated West Indies by 47 runs in the first encounter of the five-match T20I series.

“I think going forward the power play overs are a cause of concern for West Indies,” Aguilleira told Women’s CricZone. Chasing 164 runs for victory, the visitors could only manage only 116 for 6 with Deandra Dottin top-scoring with 59-ball 69. Incidentally, that was the only double-digit score in the West Indian innings.

“They need to make full use of the power play and stop soaking up dot balls, try to rotate the strike and believe in their abilities and back themselves to go there and get the job done. These players are talented, have got skills and they just need to find their confidence within themselves to do what they have to do. Everything will fall in place.”

Opting to bat first, England made full use of the first six overs scoring close to nine runs per over. In contrast, West Indies were 26 for 1 at the end of the power play.

 

“When you look at the English players in their batting department you will find that Katherine Brunt (first-ball duck) and Natalie Sciver (77.77 SR) – they were the only two batters to have strike rates under 100,” added Aguilleira, who retired from international cricket last year.

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"But when you look at the West Indies team, the only player whose strike rate was over 100 was Deandra Dottin (116.94). So that is the biggest cause of concern for batters but they have the ability to do very well."

Aguilleira, who was a part of the 2016 T20 World Cup-winning side, also heaped praise on Dottin and stressed that other players should take a cue from her. “It was very pleasing to the eyes to see Deandra’s knock today. I am happy for her. She has been working really hard, she’s focussed, recently got the vice-captain position, which she knows she has much more responsibility."

“I know a lot of the players will be looking at her and want to take pattern from the way she batted. Today she showed true class and I hope she continues to do not just what she did today but even more to assist her team in winning some of the game,” she concluded.

The second game will be on Wednesday (September 23).

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