Anisa Mohammed to lead West Indies; Stafanie Taylor opts out of ODI series against South Africa

missed the T20Is after being identified as a primary contact of a COVID-19 positive case and had to serve a period of isolation in Antigua. Cricket West Indies announced a 13-member squad for the first two ODIs along with a larger 18-member provisional squad. The series will kick off with a day/night game at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Tuesday (September 7).

After promising performances in the final T20I Aaliyah Alleyne, Chinelle Henry and Karishma Ramharack have retained their places in the squad, with senior seamer Shakera Selman missing out. She is, however, part of the wider squad. Fiery fast bowler Shamilia Connell, however, has been drafted back into the squad and will likely play a key role with the ball through the series.

Young left-arm spinner Qiana Joseph who impressed through the T20I series has also been recalled to the ODI squad and will provide much needed variation to an off-spin dominant attack.

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With the bat, the senior group of Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, Britney Cooper, Chedean Nation and the Knight twins, Kycia and Kyshona, will have to bear the load in the absence of Taylor.

"The T20I series had some creditable performances and some of the young players have started to come through," lead selector Ann Browne-John said. "Now that the CG Insurance ODI series is at hand, the players have to change their mindset and adjust to the longer format."

"The captain, Stafanie Taylor will also miss this series but it gives an opportunity for players to put up their hand and start to build on their performances as the team continues to prepare for the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifiers. The squad shows a mix of experience and youth which is good for future development.”

The series will serve as great preparation for West Indies ahead of the ODI World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe in a couple of months time.

Team for first two ODIs: Anisa Mohammed (c), Deandra Dottin (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Britney Cooper, Shamilia Connell, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack

18-member squad: Anisa Mohammed (c), Deandra Dottin (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Reniece Boyce, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Rashada Williams