Three of the West Indies Under-19 Rising Stars who recently competed in the first ever ICC Women’s U19 World Cup were on Wednesday named in the 15-member senior squad.
Zaida James, Trishan Holder and Djenaba Joseph, who were in as injury cover, are now part of the West Indies Women’s team for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which starts in South Africa on February 11 (local time).
Shemaine Campbelle, the wicketkeeper/batter has been named as vice-captain to Hayley Matthews, while experienced allrounder Stafanie Taylor is in the squad, subject to a final fitness assessment.
“The selectors have opted for a blend of youth and experience for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Four senior players who have been out through injury have returned – Stafanie Taylor, Shakera Selman, Chinelle Henry and Chedean Nation. We continue the developmental pathway to grow women’s cricket in the region, hence we feel the time is right to include three of the Under-19 Rising Stars in the squad,” said Lead Selector Ann Browne-John.
She added: “Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph and Trishan Holder have been making great progress and have been included in the squad. Zaida brings both left-hand batting and left-arm orthodox bowling, both of which the team has been missing in recent time. Djenaba is a batting allrounder and Trishan a powerful striker and wicketkeeping option.
“They have all proven that they can hold their own at this level. We believe the 15 players consist of a good all-round mix and we expect them to be able to compete in this World Cup.”
The West Indies squad features six players – Matthews, Campbelle, Taylor, Shamilia Connell, Selman and Afy Fletcher – from the 2016 World Champion team.
West Indies have been drawn in Group 2 alongside England, India, Pakistan and Ireland, and will travel to Cape Town on February 3 ahead of the start of the tournament, which will begin on February 10 (Caribbean time) with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka.
Newlands, Cape Town; Boland Park, Paarl and St George’s Park, Gqeberha are the host venues for the tournament, with both semi-finals and the Final being played in Cape Town on February 26.
T20 World Cup Match schedule
Monday, 13 February: West Indies vs England, Boland Park, Paarl, 3 p.m. (9 a.m. Eastern Caribbean/8 a.m. Jamaica)
Wednesday, 15 February: West Indies vs India, Newlands, Cape Town, 3 p.m. (9 a.m. Eastern Caribbean/8 a.m. Jamaica)
Friday, 17 February: West Indies vs Ireland, Newlands, Cape Town, 7 p.m. (1 p.m. Eastern Caribbean/noon Jamaica)
Sunday, 19 February: West Indies vs Pakistan, Boland Park, Paarl, 3 p.m. (9 a.m. Eastern Caribbean/8 a.m. Jamaica)
FULL SQUAD:
Hayley Matthews (Captain), Shemaine Campbelle (Vice-Captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor and Rashada Williams.