West Indies seek quick turnaround after opening blues

Having kickstarted their World Cup campaign with defeats, both Scotland and West Indies would be desperate for a win when they face-off in Dubai on Sunday, to keep their hopes in the campaign alive.

The Hayley Matthews-led side would want to believe that the competition against Scotland would be the easiest of their challenges in Group B, at least on paper. However, Scotland are on an inspired run and beating them would require them to lift their game to a level higher than the one displayed against South Africa.

Veteran batter Stafanie Taylor complained of knee soreness after the game against South Africa. In case she's unavailable for the contest, Scotland would believe this to be a good opportunity for them to secure their maiden World Cup win. While they couldn't stretch Bangladesh as much as they would have liked in the tournament opener in Sharjah, the slightly quicker conditions of Dubai would aid their gameplay slightly better.

But West Indies, like they've displayed in the past, have enough ammunition in their line-up that at times even a one-player show can be enough to outdo the strongest of oppositions. But Matthews would still hope for a larger collective contribution from the team at a venue where her team has slightly more experience of playing

When:Sunday, October 6, 2024, 6:00 PM Local Time

Where: West Indies vs Scotland, Match 8, Dubai International Cricket Stadium

What to expect: Unlike Sharjah, where the two teams played their opening encounters, there will be slightly better conditions for batting in Dubai. Dew shouldn't be playing much of a role, but the team that wins the toss might opt to bat with heat still expected to be a major factor.

Team News:

West Indies: West Indies have injury concerns after Zaida James was struck on the chin while fielding off her own bowling in the game against South Africa. She didn't play any further part in that game. If Taylor doesn't make it, Chedean Nation is an option to replace her.

Probable XI: Hayley Matthews (c), Qiana Joseph, Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Shermaine Campbelle, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, Afy Fletcher, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell

Scotland:After having put up a spirited performance against Bangladesh, Scotland would look to continue with the same team

Probable XI:Saskia Horley, Sarah Bryce, Kathryn Bryce, Alisa Lister, Priyanaz Chatterji, Darcy Carter, Lorna Jack, Katherine Fraser, Abtaha Maqsoond, Rachel Slater, Olivia Bell.

What they said:

"Obviously there's a bit of disappointment clearly for not getting the win, but there's so much we can take from today's game. To know that we restricted them to only 120. There are definitely mixed emotions, definitely some positive ones. Still, there are so many games left that we're competing and I'm excited for us to make a bit of a stance in this competition. Still so long to go" - Saskia Horley, Scotland opener, after the loss against Bangladesh

"Obviously a pretty disappointing game. Firstly, not scoring enough runs on the board and yeah, we would have probably liked to take a few wickets and at least put up a bit more of a fight in the second innings but yeah with a game in two days' time we're going to have to get things back together quickly and pick up the pieces and go again" - Hayley Matthews, West Indies captain, after the loss against South Africa