Dottin: I played my natural game
GALLE, Sri Lanka (CMC) — Middle order batter Deandra Dottin said she played her natural game to power West Indies to a massive seven-wicket win over New Zealand in their first game of the ICC Women’s World T20 tournament yesterday.
Dottin came to the crease with West Indies two wickets down in the second over and added a match-winning 82 runs for the third wicket with the reliable Stafanie Taylor, who made 38.
Windies cruised to 118 after limiting New Zealand to 117 for nine.
“I just went out and played my natural game. The plan was to punish the bad balls. Once the first few deliveries hit the middle of the bat, I got the confidence to play my shots”said Dottin who was named Player of the Match.
“I just told myself I had to bat to the end, I decided to play each ball on its merit and look to hit the bad ball with meaning and into the gaps.”
The 21-year-old world record holder registered her fifth half-century in T20Is and ended on 58 not out off 42 balls with six fours and two sixes.
The powerfully built Barbadian said her plan was to take on the New Zealand bowlers and keep the Windies ahead.
“Things went really well in this match. We had momentum from the time we got on the bus to come to the ground” Dottin said.
“That led to us putting on a great display in the field and with the ball and that gave us the momentum when we went on
to bat”.
Dottin is a talented athlete who represented Barbados in track and field and football and was a schoolgirl and regional age group champion in javelin and shot putt.
She is the cousin of West Indies men’s head Coach Ottis Gibson, and holds several records in the ICC World T20 tournament.
“I don’t set my mind to break records or establish any feats, I just play my natural game and it comes off. I spend a lot of time in the gym as I try to get stronger and fitter” said Dottin who made the fastest half-century off just 22 balls against Australia in England in 2009.
“I like to hit the ball, but I see myself as more than just a power-hitter. Today I hit the ball through the gaps and we ran hard between the wickets”.
In 2010 she made the fastest ever century off just 38 balls against South Africa at Warner Park, St Kitts.
West Indies women have scheduled a training session for Thursday before their second Group B match against Sri Lanka on Friday at Galle International Cricket Ground.
