West Indies Aiming To Build On World Cup Showing

West Indies Aiming To Build On World Cup Showing

West Indies are hoping to build on their impressive World Cup showing

©ICC/Solaris Images

Fresh from their eventful journey to the final of the ICC Women's World Cup in India, West Indies Women are now beginning their final preparations for the first One-Day International in Sri Lanka.

The newly-ranked second best team in the world meets Sri Lanka, who also enjoyed a breakthrough World Cup, finishing fifth, in the first of three ODIs tonight (22nd February) in Dambulla.

Head coach Sherwin Campbell says his players are confident ahead of a second series against the Sri Lankans in the last 12 months. The two sides met in April 2012 and West Indies won a three-match series 2-1.

"Many people had us as underdogs during the World Cup, but we did really well in the opening round and then kicked on in the Super Six," Sherwin said.

"We felt we achieved a lot as players, showed improvement in every game and the team did really well to reach the final," he added.

"Now we have landed here in Sri Lanka and the aim is to build on what we did in India. The approach will be the same as always – hard work and commitment towards the team, which is what brought us our success."

Campbell has overseen plenty of hard work and commitment, successfully moving from international player and vice-captain to coach of the women's team. During his tenure, the West Indies have shown steady improvement, reaching the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010 and 2012 prior to the 2013 World Cup final.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have every chance of adding to their record of three wins in 12 matches against the West Indies, after they managed to beat both England and India during their World Cup campaign.

Following the three ODIs, the two sides will then play five Twenty20 Internationals; matches that will form part of both sides' build-up to the 2014 ICC Women's World Twenty20, which is to be held in Bangladesh.

© Cricket World 2013