West Indies' decision to field was surprising: Mithali Raj

Indian women's team skipper Mithali Raj has said that she was surprised with the West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira's decision to field first winning the toss in the ICC Women World Cup's opening match.

"If I had won the toss, I would have batted first, because on this flat track, it would be easy to post a huge total rather than chasing 285 runs," Raj said after her team's resounding win yesterday.

"You always have the pressure while chasing. They won the toss and decided to field, which is surprising to me," she added at the post-match conference.

Her counterpart, Aguilleira, however said it was the team's decision.

"I think it is about what you are comfortable with. It was a good batting wicket but the team decided that we are going to field first. So it was a team decision... we need to go back to the drawing board and come back strongly for the next game," Aguilleira said.

Though India defeated the West Indies by a huge margin of 105 runs, Raj said she was nervous when the 21-year-old player from Barbados, Deandra Dottin, was at the crease.

"I was thinking from where she got so much of strength to clear the boundary and then (do it) repeatedly. I wouldn't say the bowlers were bowling bad but I give her credit for playing such wonderful strokes. Sometimes you just get zapped and say wow what shots. But that period was little dangerous. We were all a little nervous. I am glad that she didn't continue."

Dottin took the attack to the opposition with a 16-ball 39, which was studded with four sixes and three fours.

Asked if the youngster should have been promoted in the batting order, Aguilleira said, "I think Dottin is in a good position. If she would have spent another 10 overs there, she could have done extremely well and get the score closer. I guess it is about applying yourself and staying there for the team, though she didn't do that. I believe she has got the potential, so eventually that is going to happen."

... contd.

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