Stafanie Taylor ruled out of T20Is; Anisa Mohammed to lead West Indies

Stafanie Taylor will miss the T20I series against South Africa after being identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 positive case in Jamaica, Cricket West Indies announced late on Monday (August 30). Anisa Mohammed will lead West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Tuesday.



The hosts named a 13-member unit for the first game, with Deandra Dottin named the vice-captain. Shabika Gajnabi, who impressed against Pakistan A, found a place in the squad for the first game while Karishma Ramharack missed out.



“The T20I and ODI Series against South Africa gives another opportunity for the team to play international matches ahead of the upcoming ICC World Cup qualifiers,” said Ann Browne-John, lead selector.



“It is unfortunate that Stafanie will not be available for this series but there are a number of experienced players who we would be looking to, to fill any void. The young player Qiana Joseph brings another left-hand batter option as well as left arm orthodox bowling which has been lacking in the team.”



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“This will be a good test coming out of the recent Pakistan series,  since South Africa is one of the higher ranked teams.”



Apart from Gajnabi, Shamilia Connell, Shakera Selman, Aaliyah Alleyne, Chinelle Henry and left-arm seamer Qiana Joseph will form the pace unit while Mohammed will have Hayley Matthews to call upon in the spin department. West Indies won their last T20I series, which was against Pakistan, 3-0 at home in July.



Taylor, Matthews and Dottin were part of the recently-concluded The Hundred competition, with Taylor's Southern Brave finishing runners-up.



Squad: Anisa Mohammed (c), Deandra Dottin (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman.