Three Guyanese female cricketers have been featured in a 15-member team released by Cricket West Indies on Wednesday who will participate in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia, from February 21-March 8.
The team will be led by Stafanie Taylor and sees the return of Deandra Dottin to international cricket after eight months out of the squad following corrective surgery and rehabilitation. These two experienced all-rounders will be at the forefront of a hungry West Indies team seeking a second T20 World Cup title. The Guyanese players are Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, and Cherry- Ann Fraser.
In front of sold-out crowds at home in the Caribbean in 2018, the West Indies Women reached the semi-final stage where they lost to eventual champions Australia and now, they will be looking to go further by reaching the final and winning the title again.
In 2016, the West Indies Women won their first-ever ICC World Cup as part of a famous World Cup winning trifecta with the West Indies men’s team and West Indies U-19s.
Head of the CWI Women’s and Girls’ Selection Panel, Ann Browne-John, who commented that the team was a complete balance of experienced and new players, “The World Cup squad continues to show a blend of experience and young emerging players. It is boosted by the return of Captain Stafanie Taylor, who was out of the T20 series against India through injury. We are also pleased to welcome back Deandra Dottin, who made such a big impact on international cricket in the past few years until she was side-lined by injury. The two experienced fast bowlers Connell and Selman who have also been on the injured list are now back in the squad.
Browne-John added, “Lee Ann Kirby returns to the team after an extended absence, but she has shown herself to be a prolific scorer. In addition, the introduction of the young fast bowler Cherry-Ann Fraser is ideal for the Australian pitches which are generally fast with some bounce. The team has the experience and talent to excel at the World Cup.”
The West Indies Women will play Pakistan in three warm-up matches in Brisbane ahead of the official start of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The first group match of the tournament will be played against Thailand with WI aiming to win on February 22 in Perth, followed by Pakistan on February 26 in Canberra, England on March 1 in Sydney, and the final group stage match against South Africa on March 3, also in Sydney.
FULL SQUAD:
1. Stafanie Taylor (Captain)
2. Anisa Mohammed (Vice Captain)
3. Deandra Dottin
4. Hayley Matthews
5. Che dean Nation
6. Lee-Ann Kirby
7. Britney Cooper
8. Shemaine Campbelle
9. Chinelle Henry
10. Afy Fletcher
11. Shamilia Connell
12. Shakera Selman
13. Sheneta Grimmond
14. Cherry-Ann Fraser
15. Aaliyah Alleyne –
TEAM MANAGEMENT
1. Everil Lewis – Manager
2. Augustine Logie – Head Coach
3. Courtney Walsh –Assistant Coach
4. Rayon Griffith – Assistant Coach/ Fielding Coach
5. Matthew Parchment – Physiotherapist
6. Shayne Cooper – Strength and Conditioning Coach
7. Gary Belle – Analyst
8. Naasira Mohammed – Media Officer
West Indies Women’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Schedule
West Indies v Thailand February 22, WACA, Perth
West Indies v Pakistan February 26, Manuka Oval, Canberra
West Indies v England March 1, Sydney Showground, Sydney
West Indies v South Africa March 3, Sydney Showground, Sydney.
Semi-Final 1 & 2 March 5, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
