Home Sports “It’s okay to accept failure, but it’s how you bounce back,” Dottin...
Having arrived in the UK a few days ago, the West Indies Women have begun training for their T20 Series against the English Women. All-rounder Deandra Dottin is in high spirits about the impending series, which will be played in Derby.
Following the announcement of the tour weeks ago, an 18-member squad of the West Indies Women arrived in England on Monday, August 31, for a five match Vitality T20I series. 
The Windies Women are being housed in a bio secure facility at the Incora County Ground, Derby, where they will remain for the duration of their stay. The team has since been able to train and oil their gears ahead of the beginning of the tournament, on September 21.
During a virtual interview on Thursday, all-rounder Deandra Dottin underscored the importance of the tournament.
“I think it’s very important,” she said. “It’s very good to actually get in some cricket with what’s going on with COVID-19 and stuff. But I think it’s a chance for both teams. As you know, all games are being televised, and it’s worldwide stuff; it’s more exposure,” Dottin said.
The West Indies women’s fortunes during the T20 world Cup earlier this year were dismal, as the team was knocked out early. On this topic, Dottin noted that their performance at the World Cup is not reflective of the quality of the team.
“To me, the girls were pretty good, but I would say that that time wasn’t our time. So, I just think that there’re areas that we need to work on, and it just so happened that the areas we need to click didn’t; so, we just needed to go back to the drawing board,” she answered.
She further commented, “It’s okay to accept failure, but it’s how you bounce back.”
Dottin, who sustained a shoulder injury and had undergone surgery and rehabilitation, returned to cricket in January of this year. And she quelled doubts about what her contributions may entail by sharing that she is fit to bowl and bat.
“I’m feeling pretty good at this moment. You know, it’s been a long time that I haven’t been out here. I’m working on specific stuff as in strengthening back my injury and getting back out there. My form is there, but there’s still more areas that I can improve on. But all in all, I’m feeling pretty good, and I’m glad to be in England to play this series.”
<<Assessing the opposition>> Dottin fully expects England to put up a challenge, and she is confident that the West Indies women will be ready to take them on.
“I think our chances are very good. At the end of the day, we came here to play cricket. We’re not taking anybody for granted, or underestimating any of the girls on the England team. We just came to play hard cricket, and that’s what we’re actually going to play,” Dottin affirmed.
The Windies Women will play England on September, 21, 23, 26, 28 and 30 at the same venue.
Full Squad: Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle, Afy Fletcher, Hayley Matthews, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Chedean Nation, Natasha McLean, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, LeeAnn Kirby, Sheneta Grimmond, Karishma Ramharack, Shabika Gajnabi, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Kaysia Schultz
MATCH SCHEDULE Vitality T20I Series
Monday September 21:
1st Vitality IT20, England v West Indies
Wednesday September 23:
2nd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies
Saturday September 26:
3rd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies
Monday September 28:
4th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies
Wednesday September 30:
5th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies
