Afy Fletcher says tourists want to “really come out on top in one or two games” against new-look England side
Valkerie Baynes21-May-20251:37
‘The minute you slip, you side’ – Afy Fletcher
Last time they met in a T20I, West Indies ended England’s World Cup campaign in the group stage, sparking a slide that led to a new England coach, captain and squad changes.Since then, West Indies have suffered heartbreak of their own after missing out on qualifying for the 50-over World Cup in India later this year, leaving them searching for a way to hit back on their first engagement since, a tour of England which starts with three T20Is from Wednesday.Afy Fletcher, the West Indies legspinner who has played 93 T20Is and 84 ODIs, believes that while it will take some time yet for her side to recover from the disappointment of missing out on the next global tournament, another win or two against England could put them back on track.Related
Powerplay podcast: West Indies look to bounce back in English summer
Chinelle Henry to miss West Indies tour of England
The names in the frame as England women's new era begins
Charlotte Edwards to introduce new fitness standards for England Women
“It’s really, really difficult, it’s really heartbreaking to be honest,” Fletcher tells the ESPNcricinfo Powerplay podcast ahead of the first T20I in Canterbury. “This one really touched everyone.”It was only one chance with each game and the minute you slip, you slide, and that’s what happened. Then the mood was really, really emotional after that last game and, to be honest, it’s going to take a while to get over it, especially when you see the World Cup happening, that’s going to be very sad.”But you learn, you live and you learn from your mistakes. We went to the drawing board and had chats and hopefully that will help. I know that our psychologists have been made use of after that moment.”So I hope we can build and move past that and take the positives to move on, build again from here, from this series going forward and keep expanding on our skills and our knowledge and that it can move us forward together as a team.”T20 cricket is the most brutal format in terms of requiring players to take their chances.England found that out to their peril when they put down five catches in the last encounter between these sides as Qiana Joseph and captain Hayley Matthews broke the back of a modest run chase in Dubai to reach the World Cup semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions New Zealand.Joseph and Matthews are both in England although West Indies are without big hitters Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry. Uncapped Jahzara Claxton, the 19-year-old fast bowler, and 20-year-old allrounder Realeanna Grimmond have been called into their squad in the only changes since last month’s World Cup Qualifier.