ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – The inconsistency of the West Indies Women’s batting department is a concern for head coach Courtney Walsh as the squad gets ready to take on New Zealand Women at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday.

The West Indies Women will face New Zealand in three ODIs and five T20Is, and Walsh, during a virtual media briefing, stated that while he is content with the balance of spinners and seamers on the team, the inconsistency of the team’s batting has called for major concerns.

In addition to that, the Windies Women will be without their leading batter Deandra Dottin, who is ranked 12th in ODIs and 18th in T20Is based on the ICC rankings. Dottin announced her retirement from international cricket in July.

READ: CWI hails retired women’s cricketer Dottin

He also said that the absence of stalwarts Anisa Mohammed and Dottin, who have done extremely well in the last year, has left a major void for the team that is never going to be easy to fill.

“Hayley [Matthews], Stafanie [Taylor] with their experience and other batters, there are a number of batters there, but no one is showing that level of consistency,” he said.

However, Walsh is hoping that batters such as Kyshona Knight, Chedean Nation, and Natasha McLean will use the opportunity to produce consistent batting for the Caribbean side and to rise to the occasion against the New Zealanders.

“There’s a fair amount of batting around, but we want to see other people taking on the responsibility of being consistent. I think that’s what has been lacking in this team for the last couple of seasons, and this is a chance for people now to put their hands up,” he said.

“I think it gives some other persons some opportunity to sort of establish themselves and develop their own play. So I’m [looking at] the positive side.

“Yes, we’re going to miss those two – whenever you have experienced players of that quality you’re going to miss them, but I’m hoping that others step up to the plate and we can get that level of consistency from them. So it’s giving other players the chance and I’m hoping they grab it with both hands,” he added.