THREE Saint Lucian cricketers have secured their spots in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) squad for the West Indies Senior Women’s tour of India this December, featuring a critical multi-format series.
The selected local athletes are Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, and Nerissa Crafton, all of whom have proven their mettle as part of the West Indies World Cup squad in the United Arab Emirates.
This tour is set to encompass three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals, presenting a substantial opportunity for the team to measure themselves against one of cricket’s leading nations.
The T20I series kicks off on December 15 at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, followed by the ODI series at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium on December 22. The ODI segment is crucial as it carries significant points for the ICC Women’s Championship.
CWI has revealed the West Indies senior women’s squad for this essential tour. Ranked sixth in both T20Is and ODIs, the West Indies Women face a formidable challenge against third-ranked India.
Their previous trip to India in 2016 yielded contrasting results, with the West Indies triumphing 3-0 in the T20Is but falling short in the ODI series by the same scoreline. This tour is an opportunity for the West Indies Women to build on their impressive semi-final finish in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup held in Dubai.
Meanwhile, India recently demonstrated their strength, securing a 2-1 ODI series victory against defending ICC Women’s T20 World Cup champions, New Zealand.
Captain Hayley Matthews will lead the squad, while Stafanie Taylor will unfortunately miss the tour due to injury.
Head Coach Shane Deitz expressed confidence in the team’s trajectory.
“We are determined to carry the momentum we built at the T20 World Cup into this series. Competing against top teams has revealed our potential, and while we acknowledge there’s room for growth, this series is a tremendous chance to elevate our performance further,” he said.
Deitz underscored the significance of gaining exposure in India. “Playing in front of Indian IPL teams opens valuable franchise opportunities for our players. This is vital for their development and the advancement of women’s cricket in the region,” he asserted.
The squad will assemble in India ahead of a rigorous 10-day acclimatisation camp.
The West Indies Women’s Squad:
Hayley Matthews (Captain), Shemaine Campbelle (Vice-Captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Nerissa Crafton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Rashada Williams.