Taylor eyes Windies return after fitness troubles
TAYLOR...if we could win a 50-over World Cup that would be really really good for us as a team (Photo: CWI Media)

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) — Leading West Indies Women's batsman Stafanie Taylor says she is pleased with her recovery following her recent fitness struggles, and believes she still has a major contribution to make to the Caribbean side.

The 31-year-old has been one of the most prolific run-scorers in the global women's game but has found herself sidelined by a worrisome back injury for the better part of the last 12 months.

Currently in Antigua undergoing assessment, Taylor said she is looking forward to making a full return to competitive action at some point.

"I feel really good, given the procedure I'd done at the World Cup which would've given me some time to get some work in," the Jamaican said.

"It's not where I would like to be but I actually like where I'm actually headed, so it's just about putting in some more strength work to get the back strong again and we should be good."

She continued: "I still have more to give. I know that last World Cup wasn't something that most of them [team] would've liked to see — and even for myself — so it's about getting myself back when it comes to my health.

"And that's something I have to start with; and if that's not strong, I can't go out there and perform so that's something I am trying to work myself back into."

Taylor was limited to three Twenty20 Internationals in 2021, featured in none last year, and managed only two this year — in the T20 World Cup in South Africa when she played under a fitness cloud.

The right-hander, who also bowls off-spin, has also not featured in a One-Day International for six months.

While she averages nearly 44 from 148 ODIs and 35 from 113 T20 Internationals, the pinnacle of her career came when she guided West Indies to capture the T20 World Cup seven years ago in India.

And the former captain said adding a 50-over World Cup title would be a further boost for the Caribbean side.

"I would actually love to win a 50-over World Cup. I know that's probably an area that we're probably not so good [at] but if we could win a 50-over World Cup, that would be really really good for us as a team," Taylor explained.

"The 50-over [format] is something we've been working at really hard so to win a 50-over World Cup would be like, 'You've won it [all] now.'

"We don't play Tests so we can't say anything about Test Championship or anything like that so it's T20 and 50-ove — and given that most of us have won a T20 World Cup, I'm sure we would like to win a 50-over as well."

Now you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at https://bit.ly/epaper-login

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Polls

Which long-term investment option is more attractive to you at the moment?