Women's World Cup: Upbeat Sri Lanka look forward to beating West Indies

Charged-up by their stunning last-ball win over title holders England on Friday, minnows Sri Lanka are looking ahead to deliver another knock-out blow on the West Indies and book their Super six berth in the ICC Women's World Cup here on Sunday.

A win over the West Indies, who lost their Group A opener the previous day against hosts India, at the MIG Club in Bandra would ensure a berth in the second stage of the tournament for the Lankan women, who sent the form book for a toss by outsmarting England with a one-wicket win on Friday.

The Lankan bowlers delivered early blows on England and though the latter recovered to post a challenging total, they then began the chase well with a century opening wicket stand, stuttered midway before Kaushalya Lokusooriya played a blinder (56 in 41 balls) to upset England's plans.

The Lankans would again depend on Kaushalya to lead the pace attack against West Indies whose batting came a cropper while chasing the imposing 284 for six set up by India and crumbled for 179 on the opening day of the tournament.

The Lanka bowlers, however, need to be wary against the likes of hard-hitting West Indian batter Deandra Dottin who threatened India briefly with a 16-ball 39 containing four sixes and three fours.

Lanka captain Shashikala Siriwardena sounded upbeat about her side's chances against the West Indies.

"We have been maintaining a good ratio against the West Indies especially in the ODIs, in which we have 70 per cent winning ratio against them," said Shashikala.

"We have huge targets here - individual as well as team. Our main target is to enter into the Super Six. The win over England will really help us to win the next two games. Expectations are high," she said ahead of the important tie.

Shashikala also hinted at a few changes in the playing eleven.

"We will look into the conditions and we will have one or two changes according to their strengths after looking at the pitch on that day," said the Lanka captain. West Indies opener and vice-captain Stafanie Taylor conceded that the win over England has given a big boost to Lanka, adding her team was also a capable unit.

"I think, knowing Sri Lanka have beaten England, they have an upper hand. They are confident that they have defeated the defending champions. I think it is going in their way, but we need to understand that we are good. We just need to go there and do what we have to do," Taylor said.

"No one expected Sri Lanka to win. And for us definitely, I didn't expect Sri Lanka to win. It has proven that they have improved. It shows that you can't underestimate any team," she added.

Talking about the loss to India, the Barbados-born player said that everything went wrong that day and probably her team underestimated the home team, but they have realised the mistakes they did.

"I think as a team, nothing that day went right (against India). Its something that we looked at. Going into tomorrow's match, we need to tick all the boxes and go out there and do our best.

"I think, maybe we were a bit relaxed. Maybe we under-estimated India really," Taylor said.

"We know what the problem is right now. Hopefully, we can go out there, put that aside. We know tomorrow is a fresh game, new pitch and everything is a new start for us," she added.

Rival teams (West Indies): Merissa Aguilleira (captain), Stafanie Taylor (vice-captain), Shemaine Campbelle, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Natasha Mclean, Anisa Mohammed, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, June Ogle, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt. Sri Lanka: Shashikala Siriwardena (captain), Sandamali Dolawatta (vice-captain), Chamari Attapaththu, Eshani Lokusooriya, Lasanthi Madushani, Dilani Manodara, Yasoda Mendis, Udeshika Prabodani, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Deepika Rasangika, Sherina Ravikumar, Chamani Senevirathne, Prasadini Weerakkody, Sripali Weerakkody.