Cricket West Indies Announces Women's Squad for Series Against South Africa

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming white-ball home series against South Africa Women, scheduled to take place at the historic 3Ws Oval in Barbados from June 11 to June 23, 2025. This series will consist of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is).

The West Indies Women, known as the Maroon Warriors, will look to bounce back after a disappointing tour of England where they failed to secure victory in a six-match series comprising both ODIs and T20Is. The team aims to regroup in familiar conditions, focusing on regaining their competitive edge and delivering more consistent performances.

Despite the unfavorable results in England, the squad showcased promising talent, particularly from debutants Jahzara Claxton, the first woman from St Kitts to play international cricket, and Realeanna Grimmond, who made a notable impact with a half-century on her ODI debut. Captain Hayley Matthews was a standout performer, contributing 177 runs and taking three wickets during the T20I series, which earned her the player of the series title.

As the South African team arrives in the Caribbean, they hold a superior ranking, positioned fifth in both the ODI and T20I formats, while the West Indies Women are ranked ninth in ODIs and fifth in T20Is. Matthews will lead the squad, which includes one notable change from the previous England tour, with experienced all-rounder Chinelle Henry replacing Cherry-Ann Fraser.

Miles Bascombe, CWI Director of Cricket, expressed optimism regarding the team’s potential: “After a challenging tour, this home series offers the perfect opportunity for the team to regain their footing and reestablish their confidence playing in familiar conditions and in front of West Indian fans. We believe in this group’s talent and resilience, and we look forward to seeing them play purposeful, passionate cricket.”

Head Coach Shane Deitz emphasized the importance of the upcoming matches, noting that the England tour served as a valuable learning experience for the younger players, many of whom had their first taste of international cricket. “We had five players aged 21 and under in our last ODI against England, so it was great to see a young team go out there and mix it up with one of the best teams in the world. All those younger players learned some valuable lessons during that series which we hope they will bring into this series to contribute some more for the team and put in some match-winning performances,” Deitz stated.

The series will kick off with the first ODI on June 11 at 10 AM, with the second ODI following on June 14 and the third ODI on June 17, all held at the 3Ws Oval. The first T20I is set for June 20, followed by the second T20I on June 22, which will coincide with the prestigious CWI and West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) Awards ceremony. This event celebrates the achievements of Caribbean cricket stars across both men’s and women’s cricket.

Admission to all matches will be free, and they will be broadcast live across the Caribbean and internationally on ESPN Caribbean. The West Indies Women’s squad for the series includes: - Hayley Matthews (Captain) - Shemaine Campbelle (Vice-Captain) - Aaliyah Alleyne - Jahzara Claxton - Afy Fletcher - Shakiba Gajnabi - Jannillea Glasgow - Realeanna Grimmond - Chinelle Henry - Zaida James - Qiana Joseph - Mandy Mangru - Ashmini Munisar - Karishma Ramharack - Stafanie Taylor

Team Management Unit: - Head Coach: Shane Deitz - Team Manager: Sheena Gooding - Assistant Coach: Ryan Austin - Assistant Coach: Damien Wright - Team Analyst: Gary Belle - Physiotherapist: Angelica Holder - Strength & Conditioning Coach: Hector Martinez Charles - Performance Coach: Dr. Nadine Sammy - Media & Content Officer: Nicholas Maitland

In conclusion, the West Indies Women’s cricket team is poised for a significant challenge against a formidable South African side, aiming to leverage home advantage and the support of local fans to rejuvenate their campaign on the international stage. The outcomes of these matches could play a crucial role in shaping the team’s future prospects as they build towards upcoming international commitments.