Taylor to lead West Indies at Women’s World Cup

Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s Selection Panel has named the 15-member West Indies Women’s squad to participate in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, to be played in New Zealand from March 4 to April 3.

Stafanie Taylor, one of the leading all-rounders in the history of the game, will lead the squad, with off-spinner Anisa Mohammed as vice-captain for her fifth Cricket World Cup. The squad includes several exciting young players who will be competing at the marquee event for the first time.

These are spinner Karishma Ramharack, fast bowler Aaliyah Alleyne, seamer Cherry Ann Fraser, all-rounder 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.

CWI’s 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. 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 Finals.

The West Indies Women will open their title chase against host country 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.

Semi-final one will be played on March 30 at Basin Reserve in Wellington with semi-final 2 on March 31 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The final will be played on April 3 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

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, Rashada Williams.

Travelling Reserves: Kaysia Schultz, Mandy Mangru, Jannillea Glasgow

West Indies Women ICC Cricket World Cup Match Schedule

March 4: vs New Zealand at Bay Oval, Tauranga

March 9: vs England at University Oval, Dunedin

March 12: vs India at Seddon Park, Hamilton

March 15: vs Australia at Basin Reserve, Wellington

March 18; vs Bangladesh at Bay Oval, Tauranga

March 21: vs Pakistan at Seddon Park, Hamilton

March 24: vs South Africa at Basin Reserve, Wellington

March 30: Semi-final 1 at Basin Reserve, Wellington

March 31: Semi-final 2 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch (windiescricket)