West Indies pacer Shamilia Connell collapses on the field

West Indies fast bowler Shamilia Connell collapsed in the middle of her side’s Women’s World Cup 2022 fixture against Bangladesh. She received medical attention subsequently. Luckily, there was nothing serious to worry about and the break worked in the favour of the West Indies side as they got precious time to regroup themselves and staged a close victory by four runs. The 29-year-old could bowl just three overs in the game in which she conceded 15 runs and did not return to bowling after that.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. West Indies were in all sorts of trouble batting first as they kept losing wickets regularly and were reeling at 70 for 7 at the 36th over mark. However, Shemaine Campbell scored an important half-century that helped the side post 140/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Salman Khatun and Nahida Akter both went through an impressive spell of bowling for the Bangladesh women’s side.

Bangladesh was going well in the chase at the start despite losing two early wickets. However, once Fargana Hoque and Nigar Sultana were dismissed, it was curtains for the Bangladesh team. Wickets kept falling in quick succession until the duo of Khatun and Akter gave a real scare for the West Indies side towards the end. Hayley Matthews was the pick of the bowlers as she picked up 4 for 15 in her 10-over spell while Afy Fletcher and Stafanie Taylor picked up three wickets each.

Sad to see Shamilia Connell go down: Stafanie Taylor

Meanwhile, skipper Taylor mentioned that Connell has got stable and the medical personnel have been taking care of the latter. She added that the break worked in their favour and the side managed to gain momentum. She also noted her disappointment seeing the fast bowler going down while calling Connell a ‘fighter’.

“Stable and the medical personnel is taking care of her (Connell). It was sad to see her go down but we look at the bright side, it was probably for us to regroup and we did that and changed the momentum,” Taylor said at the post-match presentation.

“Obviously a bit worrying to see her (Connell) go down like that. She is a fighter, am not sure what’s wrong with her but she will be alright,” she added.