The West Indies Women are set to kick off their tour of Ireland and England on Sunday, May 26, when they tackle Ireland in the first of three T20Is, before heading off to face England in three One-Day Internationals and three T20Is. The tour of Western Europe is set to be concluded in Derby on June 25th. The West Indies will be without the number one-ranked T20 all-rounder – Deandra Dottin, who is set to undergo surgery on her shoulder. The 27-year-old, Dottin, has been replaced in the squad by Trinidadian, Britney Cooper.
Cooper is among several of those whose involvement, or lack thereof, was influenced by this seasons’ Regional Women’s Super50 and T20 Blaze. Another player who earned her place by turning heads in the domestic competition is Stacy-Ann King. It was, however, the opposite for spinner Anisa Mohammed and veteran, Merissa Aguilleira, who were both left out of the squad (the announcement of Aquilleira’s retirement came after her omission from the tour squad).
One would think that Dottin’s absence would have more consequences in the upcoming ODI series (against England). As this will mean that Captain Taylor and her number seven-ranked (in ODIs) troops must face England, when games will count towards qualifying for the 2021 World Cup, without the prowess of the Bajan, when the stakes are higher than they would be in Ireland. The top four teams along with the hosts—New Zealand—will gain automatic qualification.