West Indies name 17-member squad led by Hayley Matthews for New Zealand ODIs

New Zealand, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Tuesday (September 13).

This will be Matthews’ first stint as captain of the West Indies having replaced Stafanie Taylor post the World Cup 2022. The ODIs will be played from September 16 to 22 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Matthews already led Barbados in the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.

Deandra Dottin’s absence after her retirement and the return of the experienced Natasha McLean are the two big changes in the squad. CWI said the side was named after considering the performances of the players from the recently concluded 6ixty and Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).

The ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship and both sides will be keen to start their 2022-25 cycle well once the series gets underway in Antigua. The hosts will also play five T20Is against New Zealand after the ODI leg of the tour from September 25 to October 6. Anisa Mohammed, who decided to take an indefinite break from cricket, and Kycia Knight are not part of the team.

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“The New Zealand series is very important on the women’s cricket landscape not only because it starts a new cycle, but also because it is part of the preparation leading towards the T20 World Cup in South Africa,” Ann Browne-John, CWI lead selector, said.

“With a few senior players unavailable at this time, for different reasons, like the experienced Anisa Mohammed, Kycia Knight and recently retired Deandra Dottin, the selectors were still able to get a blend of senior and developing players including Under-19 player Jannillea Glasgow and returning players Natasha McLean and Sheneta Grimmond. Ultimately, we believe that captain Hayley Matthews, in her first series, will have a promising squad of players to start building with.”

Other than the 17 players in the provisional squad, Mandy Mangru and Kaysia Schultz are also part of a ten-day training camp in Antigua under the eyes of head coach Courtney Walsh. A 13-member match-day squads will be announced for each of the three ODIs.

West Indies squad: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams