Campbelle excluded from Windies Women squad

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Batswoman Shemaine Campbelle is one of several changes to a 13-member West Indies squad announced yesterday to face Pakistan in a three-match Twenty20 (T20) International series starting next week.

The 28-year-old, one of the most experienced in the setup, is missing from both the international and A-squad named by selectors, along with leg-spinner Afy Fletcher.

It is understood that both were “unavailable” for selection.

They have been joined by Cherry-Ann Fraser, Natasha McLean, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Kaysia Scultz and Lee-Ann Kirby, who featured in the side’s last international assignment when they toured England for a five-match T20 series last year.

Campbelle, a veteran of 107 T20 Internationals, played in all five matches of the England tour and was also a member of the T20 World Cup side earlier last year.

However, while missing out on senior team action, Fraser, Grimmond, Gajnabi and Schultz have all been included in the A-squad to face the Pakistanis in the corresponding three-match T20 series.

Women’s chief selector Ann Browne-John said the series was a critical one, especially since it marked the return to competitive cricket for the Caribbean side, for the first time in almost a year.

“This series against Pakistan has come at an opportune time because the West Indies players have not been able to face international opponents since September 2020,” she said. “It’s exciting that not only will the senior team be in action, but, for the very first time, a West Indies ‘A’ Team will have the opportunity to compete against international opposition.

“As we prepare for the upcoming One-Day International match series, these three T20Is will enable the senior team to ease themselves back into the international arena.

“The ‘A’ team matches are an excellent chance for some of the younger players who have not been able to find a place in the senior team to show their skills.”

West Indies’ senior side will be led as usual by Stafanie Taylor and includes veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin, experienced off-spinner Anisa Mohammad, and seasoned stroke-maker Hayley Matthews.

SQUAD RETURNS

The squad sees the return of the Barbadian Knight twins, Kycia and Kyshona, both of whom missed the T20 World Cup and the England tour last year.

Kycia has played 58 T20 Internationals while Kyshona has featured in 40.

Reniece Boyce, 23, who has played six T20 Internationals, has been named to captain the A-squad., which includes teenaged fast bowlers Zaida James and Jannillea Glasgow.

Both the international and A-team series will comprise three matches and will run from June 30 to July 3, featuring double-headers on each match day at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

SENIOR

Stafanie Taylor (captain)

Anisa Mohammed

Aaliyah Alleyne

Shamilia Connell

Britney Cooper

Deandra Dottin

Chinelle Henry

Kycia Knight

Kyshona Knight

Hayley Matthews

Chedean Nation

Karishma Ramharack

Shakera Selman

A-TEAM

Reniece Boyce (captain)

Shabika Gajnabi

Shanika Bruce

Cherry Ann Fraser

Jannillea Glasgow

Sheneta Grimmond

Caneisha Isaac

Zaida James

Japhina Joseph

Qiana Joseph

Mandy Mangru

Kaysia Schultz

Steffie Soogrim

Rachel Vincent

Rashada Williams