BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – In the wake of a stinging 60-run defeat to Bangladesh in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Warner Park, West Indies off-spinner Karishma Ramharack has called for sharper application from the team’s batters as they head into the series-deciding third match.
Despite her career-best bowling figures of 4 for 33, Ramharack’s exceptional performance was overshadowed by a disappointing batting collapse that left the hosts dismissed for just 124, well short of Bangladesh’s modest target of 184.
Ramharack, recently crowned Trinidad and Tobago’s 2024 Sportswoman of the Year, expressed mixed emotions about her individual success.
“It’s always rewarding to take wickets, and achieving my career-best figures is something I’m proud of,” said the veteran of 31 ODIs. “But it’s bittersweet because the ultimate goal is to win the game, and we fell short of that.”
Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by a disciplined attack, capitalized on the Windies’ lackluster display, picking up wickets in rapid succession and applying relentless pressure to secure a comfortable victory and level the series at 1-1.
Batting failures and a call for change
The West Indies’ batting line-up struggled throughout, a fact that Ramharack noted with disappointment.
“We didn’t apply ourselves in the middle,” she admitted. “Losing wickets in clusters really put us under pressure, and that’s something we must address going forward.”
As the deciding match looms, the focus is squarely on the batters to regroup and deliver a more cohesive performance.
With the 2025 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers on the horizon, the stakes are higher than ever for the West Indies. Ramharack underscored the importance of winning the upcoming game, not just for the series but also for building confidence ahead of the critical qualifying rounds.
Eyes on the bigger picture
“Looking at the Qualifiers, it’s important to know what we’re up against and prepare accordingly. Bangladesh is in the mix, so we need to come harder in the final game and make things easier for ourselves,” she said.
Despite the mounting pressure, Ramharack emphasized the importance of calm reflection and strategic execution.
“I don’t think there’s any added pressure,” she noted. “It’s about sitting down, assessing our approach to batting, and coming out to execute. If we apply ourselves, we can definitely come out on top.”
As the series hangs in the balance, both teams will be eager to deliver a decisive blow in the final ODI. For the West Indies, the key lies in transforming potential into results, with the batters tasked with supporting the efforts of a capable bowling attack led by Ramharack.
