Queen Stafanie receives regal welcome

Late on Tuesday, the Jamaican members of the triumphant West Indies men’s team returned to the island to a hero’s welcome.
And yesterday it was the turn of Stafanie Taylor, the women’s captain, who was greeted like a queen as she arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport.

The 24-year-old all-rounder, the lone Jamaican in the West Indies squad, was hosted by team sponsor Digicel inside the Pineapple Lounge.
Petals were laid at her feet as she walked before she was seated on a chair akin to a throne for royalty.
The West Indies Women’s team beat favourites Australia by eight wickets with three balls to spare in the World Twenty20 (T20) final in Kolkata, India, on Sunday.
Taylor, who was named player of the tournament for outstanding contributions with bat and ball, made 59 runs in the final. Her first-wicket partnership of 120 with 18-year-old Hayley Matthews, who made 66, put West Indies on the brink of victory.
She said the team’s resolve was steeled because many gave them no chance against the dominant Australians, who were seeking a fourth straight T20 title.
“I remember I had a press conference and a guy from Australia asked if I was intimidated by the Aussies, and I was so angry that I almost cursed,” she told journalists.
“I went back to the girls and I told them this is what is being said. We had to take it in a positive way because it was the Aussies who should be intimidated by us because we had nothing to lose,” Taylor continued.
It is the West Indies women’s maiden T20 title and first time beating Australia in the game’s shortest format.
Sport Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, representatives of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), including President Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven and Chief Executive Officer Courtney Francis, as well as members of the Digicel staff, led by Patrick King, the telecommunications firm’s customer solutions director, were among those who received Taylor. (Windies Cricket)