St John’s: Cricket West Indies (CWI) have announced an 18-member women squad that will travel to England for a five-match T20I series, to be played in Derby from September 21 to 30.
The squad, led by Stafanie Taylor, includes 14 of the 15 members who represented West Indies in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Kaysia Schultz, a left-arm bowler from Guyana, is the only uncapped player to get a call-up.
Meanwhile, Anisa Mohammed, who is currently the leading wicket-taker in the format, has opted out of the tour amidst all the restrictions and precautions that are being taken owing to the widespread pandemic.
“All players were given the option to decline selection for any Covid-19 related concern. Anisa Mohammed was the only potential selectee who declined the invitation to travel to England. CWI fully respects her decision to choose to do so,” CWI said in a statement on Wednesday.
Andre Coley has been named interim head coach and will be assisted by Esuan Crandon and Corey Collymore.
This series will be the first time women’s cricket is played at the international level since the final of the T20 World Cup at the MCG on March 8.
As with all other internationals taking place in the England this summer, this series too will be held in a bio-secure environment.
The visitors will fly to England on a private charter on August 30, following their COVID-19 tests.
Squad: 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.