ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Britney Cooper has been excluded from a 20-member training squad named to begin preparations for the upcoming series against Pakistan.

The 29-year-old batsman, one of the heroes of the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup triumph, has struggled badly recently and managed only 23 runs in five innings in last November’s most recent edition of the ICC tournament.

Cooper is the only experienced player missing as the squad comprises 14 of the 15 players who contested the recent T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Selectors have, however, called up 21-year-old Jamaican Rashada Williams for her first taste of international action, and convener Courtney Browne said there were high hopes for the player.

“Coming into the squad for the first time is young opening bat Rashada Williams who impressed the selectors with her solid technique and her ability against spin bowling,” Browne said.

“The panel believes with help from the coaching staff she can develop into a very good player that can add solidity.”

The squad will be involved in a two-week camp which got underway Wednesday at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Captain Stafanie Taylor will not feature, however, due to her participation in the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League in Australia.

West Indies are set to face Pakistan in three One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals next month, and Browne said selectors were looking for an improved showing in the shorter format especially.

“After a decent and competitive run at the ICC T20 World Cup 2018 Windies Women will be expected to build on that momentum going into the One-Dayers and T20 series against Pakistan,” he said.

“The team needs to improve its showing in ODI cricket, especially, and we want to see mark improvement in this format.

“The women have been involved in a number of strategic camps over the last year and we have seen improvements as reflected during the T20 World Cup particularly in the fielding.”

SQUAD – Merissa Aguilleira, Reniece Boyce, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Akeira Peters, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams.