ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – All but two of the West Indies Women that secured a historic victory over England Women in their last assignment have been retained in a 14-member squad for the Twenty20 World Cup. The West Indies selection panel have brought Kirbyina Alexander and Juliana Nero in to replace Chadean Nation and Amanda Samaroo for the competition that begins next month in the Caribbean.
“Our girls have been playing some very good cricket in the last six months,” said chairman of the West Indies selection panel Clyde Butts.
“They beat England, the No.1 women’s team in the world, and I know they will be ready when the first match bowls off.”
He added: “They have a camp in St Kitts, and matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which will be good preparation.
“I expect our girls to do very well in this tournament. We have a very good all-round team, and they are very disciplined.
“They handle the pressure very well and play together as a unit under Merissa Aguilleira, who has matured as a good leader.”
The 22-year-old Alexander’s rise to the international arena was swift. She is a fast bowler, and received her call-up to the international side for the 2005 Women’s World Cup in South Africa. She has played 19 One-day Internationals and five T20Is for West Indies Women since then.
The 43-year-old Nero is a right-handed batter and a very experienced player, having made her international debut 10 years ago.
She has appeared in one Test, 43 ODIs, and six T20Is for Windies Women. She is also a qualified cricket coach.
Both Alexander and Nero have been chosen to shore-up areas that have proved to be deficient for the Windies Women in recent matches, but Butts believes the team has plenty of depth.
“With Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin at the top of the order, we have two match-winners,” said Butts.
“They are also capable all-rounders and they are growing with every match. I would expect these players to lead with Cordel Jack and Pamela Lavine making good contributions as well.
“We have a good bowling unit as well led by Anisa Mohammed with Taylor, Shanel Daley, and Shakera Selman also able to get crucial wickets.”
The West Indies Cricket Board also announced that Abbiegaye Hendricks, Danielle Small, and Charlene Taitt will also be part of the pre-tournament training camp in St Kitts.
They will also be eligible for selection in ODIs and T20Is against Sri Lanka Women and Pakistan Women ahead of the T20 World Cup.
West Indies have been drawn in Group-A of the first stage that will be contested at Warner Park in St Kitts, where all the women’s T20 World Cup matches will be played.
They open the competition against South Africa Women on Wednesday, May 5, followed by a rematch with reigning T20 World champions England Women on Friday, May 7, and a showdown with Australia Women on Sunday, May 9.
Squad:
Merissa Aguilleira (captain), Kirbyina Alexander, Shemaine Campbelle, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Cordel Jack, Stacy-Ann King, Pamela Lavine, Anisa Mohammed, Juliana Nero, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt, Stafanie Taylor.