ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Barbadian Deandra Dottin will be making a return to international cricket at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia from February 21 to March 8.
Dottin was out for eight months after corrective surgery and rehabilitation and is among 15 in the squad announced today by Cricket West Indies.
Stafanie Tayor will continue to lead the unit, while Trinidad and Tobago’s spin bowler Anisa Mohammed has been named vice captain.
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, they won their first ever ICC World Cup as part of a famous World Cup winning trifecta, along with the West Indies Men’s team and West Indies U19s.
Head of the CWI Women’s and Girls’ Selection Panel, Ann Browne-John, said it was a balanced team.
“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 sidelined by injury. The two experienced fast bowlers Connell and Selman, who have also been on the injured list, are now are back in the squad.”
She 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.
Full Squad: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Anisa Mohammed (vice captain), Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Lee-Ann Kirby, Britney Cooper, Shemaine Campbelle, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Shamilia Connell, Shakera Selman, Sheneta Grimmond, Cherry-Ann Fraser and Aaliyah Alleyne.
Team Management: Everil Lewis (manager), Augustine Logie (head coach), Courtney Walsh (assistant coach), Rayon Griffith (assistant coach/fielding coach), Matthew Parchment (physiotherapist), Shayne Cooper (strength and conditioning coach), Gary Belle (analyst) and Naasira Mohammed (media officer).
West Indies Women’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Schedule
West Indies vs Thailand February 22, WACA, Perth
West Indies vs Pakistan February 26, Manuka Oval, Canberra,
West Indies vs England March 1, Sydney Showground, Sydney
West Indies vs South Africa March 3, Sydney Showground, Sydney.
Semi Final 1 & 2 March 5, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Final March 8, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. (PR/SAT)
