ST. JOHN’S, Antigua– Cricket West Indies (CWI) has formally unveiled a 15-player squad for the much-anticipated white-ball collection towards South Africa Ladies, set to unfold on the historic 3Ws Oval in Barbados from June 11–23.
The house collection includes three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is), and marks a important alternative for the West Indies Ladies to reset after a winless tour of England.
Rebuilding on acquainted floor
Coming back from a difficult tour in England the place they fell quick in all six matches throughout codecs, the Maroon Warriors are actually poised to regroup and reignite their kind below the Caribbean solar. Although the tour resulted in defeat, it was not with out silver linings: St. Kitts’ trailblazer Jahzara Claxton made her worldwide debut, whereas Guyana’s Realeanna Grimmond introduced herself with a composed half-century on ODI debut.
Captain Hayley Matthews, who was the standout performer with 177 runs and three wickets within the T20I leg of the England collection, will as soon as once more lead the aspect. She was additionally named Participant of the Collection, underscoring her pivotal position as each chief and match-winner.
Squad replace: One change, renewed power
The squad sees a single change from the England tour. Skilled all-rounder Chinelle Henry returns rather than Cherry-Ann Fraser, including stability and veteran grit to a younger squad hungry to study and compete. The rest of the staff stays largely youthful, with 5 gamers aged 21 or youthful — a deliberate technique geared toward constructing for the long run.
Miles Bascombe, CWI Director of Cricket, expressed sturdy perception within the staff’s potential:
“After a difficult tour, this house collection provides the right alternative for the staff to regain their footing and re-establish their confidence taking part in in acquainted situations and in entrance of West Indian followers. We consider on this group’s expertise and resilience.”
Deitz: ‘A terrific alternative to placed on a present’
Head Coach Shane Deitz remained upbeat, noting the expansion of the staff regardless of current setbacks:
“Clearly, England’s outcomes didn’t go how we needed, nevertheless it was a terrific studying alternative… We had 5 gamers aged 21 and below in our final ODI towards England, so it was nice to see a younger staff go on the market and blend it up with top-of-the-line groups on the earth.”
Deitz emphasised the twin targets of improvement and efficiency:
“All these youthful gamers discovered some beneficial classes which we hope they are going to deliver into this collection to contribute extra for the staff and put in match-winning performances.”
He additionally highlighted the emotional and symbolic significance of Matthews returning to play in her hometown:
“It’s nice that Hayley is now obtainable for this collection — her house collection in her hometown — and she or he’ll be actually excited to placed on a terrific present in entrance of her household, associates, and supporters.”
A collection with significance
The collection is greater than a cricket contest; it’s a proving floor. The South Africa Ladies’s staff, ranked fifth in each ODIs and T20Is, will current a formidable problem to a West Indies aspect ranked ninth in ODIs and fifth in T20s. But the power of house help and the familiarity of situations might be the increase the Maroon Warriors want.
The second T20I on Sunday, June 22, may also coincide with the distinguished CWI and WIPA Awards, celebrating excellence in each males’s and ladies’s Caribbean cricket.
“That is going to be a beautiful collection,” mentioned Deitz. “It’s a terrific alternative for our women to check their abilities… We will’t wait to listen to and really feel the help once we exit to play on Wednesday.”
West Indies Ladies’s Squad vs South Africa: Hayley Matthews (Captain), Shemaine Campbelle (Vice-Captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Jahzara Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Shakiba Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor
Crew Administration: Head Coach: Shane Deitz, Crew Supervisor: Sheena Gooding, Assistant Coaches: Ryan Austin, Damien Wright, Analyst: Gary Belle, Physiotherapist: Angelica Holder, S&C Coach: Hector Martinez Charles, Efficiency Coach: Dr. Nadine Sammy, Media Officer: Nicholas Maitland.
Match Schedule (3Ws Oval, Barbados)
ODIs
- 1st ODI: Wednesday, 11 June – 10:00 AM
- 2nd ODI: Saturday, 14 June – 10:00 AM
- third ODI: Tuesday, 17 June – 10:00 AM
T20Is
- 1st T20I: Friday, 20 June – 2:00 PM
- 2nd T20I: Sunday, 22 June – 10:00 AM (CWI/WIPA Awards Day)
- third T20I: Monday, 23 June – 2:00 PM
