Stafanie Taylor to lead West Indies at World Cup

Taylor, one of the leading allrounders in the history of the game, will lead the squad for the second successive ODI World Cup, with off-spinner Anisa Mohammed named as vice-captain for her fifth ODI World Cup. Mohammed will become the first player to represent West Indies in five such tournaments next month. The squad includes five players who will be making their first appearance at the World Cup: spinner Karishma Ramharack, fast bowler Aaliyah Alleyne, seamer Cherry Ann Fraser, allrounder Chinelle Henry and opening batter Rashada Williams.

The 15-member squad will be joined by three traveling reserves, Kaysia Schultz, Mandy Mangru and Jannillea Glasgow, as per the ICC’s medical protocols for the tournament. All the 18 players were in the squad for the team's last series, a 1-2 loss against South Africa away.

Cricket West Indies' Lead Selector for Women’s cricket, Ann Browne-John, said, “The squad selected shows a blend of youth and experience. We have Anisa Mohammed who’s playing in her fifth World Cup and will help guide the younger ones selected. We have five players who have had their maiden Cricket World Cup selection.

© Cricket West Indies

"The team just completed a series against South Africa where the players got good preparation before the Tournament. There were some relatively good showings with a few players having outstanding performances and it is expected that they would raise their levels even further during the competition. Afy Fletcher’s return strengthens the bowling department as she continues to be a world class leg-spinner.”

The eight-team tournament will start with a group stage round, where all teams play each other once before the top four sides compete in the semi-finals and final.

West Indies will open their campaign against hosts New Zealand on March 4 at Bay Oval in Tauranga. Their seventh and final match of the group stage is against South Africa on March 24 at Basin Reserve in Wellington. The first semi-final will be played on March 30 at Basin Reserve in Wellington, with the second semi-final to be held on March 31 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The final will be played on April 3 at Hagley Oval.

 

FULL SQUAD: Stafanie Taylor (Captain), Anisa Mohammed (Vice Captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman and Rashada Williams.

Travelling Reserves: Kaysia Schultz, Mandy Mangru and Jannillea Glasgow