Taylor

Top West Indies Women batsman Stafanie Taylor says getting the wicket of New Zealand Women opener and captain, Suzie Bates, will be vital if they are to level their three-match one-day international (ODI) series.

The series, which will have its second game being contested today at Sabina Park, is presently 1-0 in the favour of the New Zealanders, who recorded a nail-biting one-run win on Sunday.

Bates, who is ranked number one on the ICC Women's ODI batting rankings, led the way in the Kiwis's total of 225 for eight off their 50 overs with a domineering batting display that saw her finishing with 109.

West Indies made 224 off 49.3 overs.

It was Bates' fifth ODI century to go with her nine half-centuries, and one which was pleasing to the eye, with the 26-year-old hitting nine fours.

The innings, which lasted 133 balls, also improved her average to 38.38 in ODIs after 57 appearances.

"Suzie batted really well and showed the class player she is," said Taylor.

"But she also gave a few chances, and had we taken those chances it would be a different ball game.

"This is because they tend to rely heavily on her at the top of the innings to give them a good start.

"So if we can target her and get her out early, we believe we will have a better chance of bowling them out, and hopefully on Tuesday (today) that will happen."

Taylor, who made 36, to end as the West Indies third best scorer behind Deandra Dottin, 65, and captain, Merissa Aguilleira, 43, in the meantime, believes her team is more than capable of bouncing back.

"I am very positive that we can come out tomorrow and play better and win," she said.

"There were a lot of things that we did right in the first game, and all we have to do is those.

"For example, I thought (Tremayne) Smartt really bowled well up front and towards the end (Shaquana) Quintyne and I combined well.

"In our batting, we did well in partnerships at the top, in the middle and towards the end.

"We had good ones when (Natasha) McLean and (Kycia) Knight opened, and then there were ones with Aguilleira and I, and Aguilleira and Dottin.

"So we can play well and come away with win. It is just how much we want it, and I believe we want it."