In some fantastic news lately, International Women’s cricket is making a return after their male counterparts, post-COVID. The series was proposed to be South Africa’s tour of England, but due to the safety guidelines of the South African government, the national team could not travel to the European continent. As a massive favor to English cricket and cricket fans worldwide, the West Indies board accepted England’s last-minute invitation to finally resume women’s cricket.
On Thursday, West Indies announced their 18-member squad for the English Tour, led by the enigmatic Stafanie Taylor. The Caribbean girls will face off in 5 T20Is.
Debuts are always good news in cricket, with new players coming through the international ranks to further develop and contribute to cricket and, in particular, women’s cricket. Making her debut would be Kaysia Schultz, a left-armer from the Island of Guyana. Along with her, youngsters Shabika Gajnabi and Karishma Ramharack will get much-needed game-time and a necessary learning curve in England’s foreign conditions.
The full squad for West Indies’ Tour of England includes:
Stafanie Taylor (c)
Afy Fletcher
Hayley Matthews
Aaliyah Alleyne
Cherry Ann Fraser
Natasha McClean
Shemaine Campbelle
Shabika Gajnabi
Chedean Nation
Britney Cooper
Sheneta Grimmond
Karishma Ramharack
Shamilia Connell
Chinelle Henry
Kaysia Schultz
Deandra Dottin
Lee Ann Kirby
Shakera Selman
The Caribbean outfit is scheduled to make their trip across the Atlantic on 30th August, with the tour taking off on the 21st of September. In a span of 9 days, 5 T20I’s will be fiercely contested to determine the first winner of series in a new world post-COVID-19.
With concerns about safety and health due to the critical pertaining situation, West Indies board gave its’ players an option to opt-out of the series for safety reasons. The only 2020 T20 WC player to not be in this squad, Anisa Mohammed, took the board up on their offer and declined to participate. Although a completely understandable move on her part, all matches in England will be played in a bio-secure environment until situations normalize around the world. Andre Coley will take over the mantle as interim coach, with Esuan Crandon and Corey Collymore, to help him in their capacity as assistant coaches.
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