Ebony Brathwaite and Ashmini Munisar have been kept in the 15-woman squad named by Cricket West Indies for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with the announcement coming on Thursday. Both players are currently involved with the West Indies set-up in a tri-series that features Pakistan and Ireland, and their retention ensures continuity as the side prepares for tournament cricket across England and Wales.
Squad leadership and key selection focus
The team will be captained by Hayley Matthews, while Chinelle Henry has been named her deputy. Cricket West Indies said the selection process followed months of preparation and review, with particular emphasis on identifying a group that can keep scoring at a high tempo for extended spells of the innings.
The board highlighted that the squad has been built to handle the two major bowling challenges expected in the conditions—seam movement as well as spin—while also maintaining execution under pressure when matches tighten. The selection also reflects an intent to balance aggressive batting with reliable game awareness across different venues.
Squad: Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Shawnisha Hector, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor
Head coach Shane Deitz explained that winning approaches in these conditions will likely hinge on strong starts and sustained run-making through the middle overs. He said that their assessment showed the value of being positive in the powerplay—especially once the innings moves beyond the 45-run threshold—because it gives the team a stronger platform to steer the contest.
Deitz added that the bowling plans require the side to keep scoring opportunities under control early, not just in the opening overs but across the full spell. In his view, this combination—refined powerplay batting and boundary restriction with the ball—forms the backbone of their tournament strategy.
He also noted that the batting group was chosen with flexibility at the top of the order, along with players capable of dealing with both pace and spin. Deitz stressed that the squad includes batters who can keep their intent even when wickets fall, supported by batting depth so the team can continue to attack deep into the innings. On the bowling side, he said the selection reflects a desire to go forward when required, while also knowing when to shift quickly into more defensive patterns and execute reliably under pressure at every stage.
Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe pointed to the structure of the team’s preparation as a key factor. He said the camp in Wales was arranged to mirror the conditions the players will encounter during the World Cup, enabling them to sharpen their technical execution and tactical decision-making in a similar environment.
Bascombe further underlined that the longer build-up was not only about skills, but also about forming team cohesion—developing confidence and consistency together over an extended period before the tournament begins.
World Cup schedule for West Indies (Group B)
- West Indies will open their World Cup campaign in Southampton against New Zealand on June 13.
- They play Scotland in Leeds on June 18.
- The next match is against Sri Lanka in Bristol on June 21.
- West Indies take on England at Lord’s on June 24.
- They conclude the group phase against Ireland in Bristol on June 27.
Before the World Cup begins, West Indies are scheduled to play warm-up matches against India in Cardiff and Australia in Derby.
