Dottin set for new Windies role
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Aggressive all-rounder Deandra Dottin could find herself in new pinch-hitting role at the top of the order, when West Indies undertake their defence of the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup starting here Friday.
The veteran right-hander has played in the middle order for most of her career but West Indies are contemplating the change which would enable the team to get a faster start in the November 9-24 tournament.
Dottin was trialled in the opening slot for the two official ICC warm-up matches against India and New Zealand, scoring nine and 35, and Captain Stafanie Taylor said the 27-year-old could be used in the position in the upcoming games.
“I’m pretty much happy with what I’ve seen so far. We haven’t tried something like this before,” said Taylor.
“I think seeing her in action last night [against New Zealand] was pretty good. It (opening position) would help her a bit more with her confidence level.”
Dottin is expected to be a key figure for the Windies as they look to defend the title they won two years ago in India, when they upset three-time champions Australia in the final.
She has already struck two centuries in 102 T20 Internationals and her ability to score quickly could energise a Windies batting order which has struggled in recent times.
In addition to Dottin, much of the spotlight will be on another veteran, off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, whose 98 matches and 113 wickets, make her the most experienced bowler in the side.
On the slow low Caribbean wickets, the 30-year-old is expected to feature prominently.
“Anisa has been around for a long time, even before this core group. She started playing for West Indies at the age of 15,” Taylor told a media conference on Thursday.
“She does play a big, big role in this team because of her experience. Everyone respects Anisa and she’s just a big part of the team.”
West Indies take on Bangladesh at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday night.
