Windies Announce Strong Squad for Sri Lanka Showdown
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled a formidable 15-player squad for the West Indies Women’s team ahead of their series against Sri Lanka. This three-match One-Day International (ODI) series will kick off on February 20 at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.
Importance of the Series
The upcoming matches are pivotal for the Windies Women as they aim to improve their standings in the ICC Women’s Championship rankings. CWI sees this series as a key investment in the development of women’s cricket in the region.
Miles Bascombe, the Director of Cricket at CWI, highlighted the significance of the home series. He stated, “Every match played here is an investment in our future.” He emphasized the importance of the event for not just team preparation but also for inspiring young women in the Caribbean to follow their cricketing dreams.
Squad Highlights
The return of captain Hayley Matthews is a major boost. She has been out of action since last June due to a shoulder injury. Alongside her, Chinelle Henry will serve as vice-captain, taking over from experienced wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle.
Key players include:
- Hayley Matthews (captain)
- Chinelle Henry (vice-captain)
- Deandra Dottin (returning from injury)
- Stafanie Taylor
West Indies Women’s ODI Squad
- Aaliyah Alleyne
- Jahzara Claxton
- Afy Fletcher
- Jannillea Glasgow
- Realeanna Grimmond
- Shawnisha Hector
- Qiana Joseph
- Ashmini Munisar
- Karishma Ramharack
- Shunelle Sawh
Series Schedule
The match schedule is as follows:
- 1st ODI – Friday, February 20 at 9:30 a.m.
- 2nd ODI – Sunday, February 22 at 9:30 a.m.
- 3rd ODI – Wednesday, February 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Future Challenges
Following the ODI series, the West Indies Women will engage in a T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting on February 28. Head Coach Shane Deitz expressed enthusiasm for the challenges posed by the Sri Lankan team, which previously defeated them in the 2024 ODI series.
Deitz noted, “This is our chance to settle the score on our home turf.” He underscored the team’s commitment to deliver an exciting performance for their Caribbean fans.
The Windies are set to face additional international competitors later this year, including Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Pakistan, as they continue their journey in the world of women’s cricket.
