Bridgetown, Barbados – West Indies women’s all rounder Stacy Ann King says that the team needs to work on perfecting the killer instinct as they focus on moving up the international rankings.
"As a team we need to work on killing off the opponent when we get ourselves into good positions in games, too often we slack up a bit and give the opposition a chance to come back into the game," King said while taking a break from the preparatory camp at the 3Ws Oval.
The team is completing an intense two week camp in preparation for the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Bangladesh. The regional side departs the Caribbean tomorrow for Dhaka via London.
King said that the camp has allowed the team to work on refining some of their skills and strategies and improve their bonding as a unit following the successful home series against Pakistan.
"During the Pakistan series we proved that we’ve improved but we know we can do much better and we know once we continue to work hard we will continue to make strides as a team," reasoned the 28 year old who has appeared in 40 One Day Internationals and 29 Twenty20 Internationals.
King says her personal preparation is also coming along as planned after inconsistent performances against Pakistan.
"Physically I am where I want to be but I have some more work to do in terms of the mental preparation," the Trinidadian explained.
"I had some good performances against Pakistan but I want to be able to put together those performances more consistently and contribute more to the team," outlined the left hander who also bowls left arm medium pace.
She says the team is not only looking to win in the qualifiers but it is looking to dominate the opposition and she believes the biggest threat will come from South Africa.
She also outlined that being a recipient of a WICB Central Retainer Women’s Contract has allowed her to better dedicate time and resources to her preparation when she is back in her native Trinidad where she works as an Estate Constable.
King, who debuted for the Windies in 2008 says that the team has a clear mindset which is averse to losing and that they take seriously the representation of the people of the Caribbean.
"We play for the love of the game, we don’t get things easy, we want to win and we want our families and the public to be proud so we do the best we can at all times," King emphasised.
Ten teams will participate in the qualifiers and the top four teams will join top ranked sides, England, Australia, India and New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup 2013 in India.
The teams have been drawn in two groups for the qualifiers with West Indies in Group B along with Pakistan, Ireland, Japan and hosts Bangladesh. The qualifiers begin on November 14 and run through to November 25.
West Indies squad: Merissa Aguilleira (Captain), Shermaine Campbelle, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Pearl Etienne, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Anisa Mohammed, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor.
Team Management: Sherwin Campbell – Head Coach, Stephanie Power – Assistant Coach, Marjorie Thomas – Team Manager, Dr. Jacqui King-Mowatt – Physiotherapist, Amena Highland – Strength and Conditioning Coach
West Indies group schedule
November 14 – West Indies v Ireland
November 17 – West Indies v Pakistan
November 18 – West Indies v Japan
November 20 – West Indies v Bangladesh
Play off matches: November 22-25
Three promising players joined the West Indies preparatory camp to help with their development. The three players are Gaitree Seetahal and Amanda Samaroo of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica’s Natasha McLean.