JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The West Indies Women’s Head Coach Courtney Walsh has welcomed the upcoming Tri-nation series with South Africa and India as they continue preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
West Indies start the series against hosts South Africa on Saturday at Buffalo Park in East London. This will be followed by their second match against India on Monday at the same venue. West Indies will play at least four matches, playing two matches each against South Africa and India. The two leading teams will then play each other in the Tri-Series Final on 2 February.
Speaking ahead of the opening contest, Walsh said:
“It’s good to have competitive cricket ahead of the World Cup, with two higher-ranked teams. It’s going to be challenging for us and the World Cup itself is going to be challenging, so this series and everything we do going forward is geared towards preparations for that big tournament.”
The ICC Women’s U19 World Cup is currently being played in South Africa and the West Indies Rising Stars with two wins in their Group C matches are into the Super6s. Walsh indicated that the selectors have a fixed eye on their performances should they be considered for selection to the West Indies Women’s Senior team.
“For me having a couple of the youngsters in the team against England was a big plus. The experience would’ve been invaluable for them, for me, having them on the radar is a valuable asset for us as selectors seeing them perform at the U19 World Cup, it helps with our transitionary period.”
Final squads for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa must be submitted by 2 February. The eighth edition of the marquee ICC Women’s event will begin on 10 February with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. West Indies have been drawn in Group 2 alongside England, India, Pakistan and Ireland.
FULL SQUAD
Hayley Matthews (Captain)
Aaliyah Alleyne
Shanika Bruce
Shemaine Campbelle
Shamilia Connell
Britney Cooper
Chedean Nation
Afy Fletcher
Shabika Gajnabi
Sheneta Grimmond
Chinelle Henry
Karishma Ramharack
Kaysia Schultz
Shakera Selman
Stafanie Taylor
Rashada Williams
T20I Tri-Series Match Schedule
(all matches to be played at Buffalo Park, East London)
21 January: vs South Africa, 3 pm local time (9 am Eastern Caribbean/8 am Jamaica)
23 January: vs India, 7 pm local time (1 pm Eastern Caribbean/12noon Jamaica)
25 January: vs South Africa, 3 pm local time (9 am Eastern Caribbean/8 am Jamaica)
30 January: vs India, 3 pm local time (9 am Eastern Caribbean/8 am Jamaica)
2 February: Tri-Series Final, 3 pm local time (9 am Eastern Caribbean/8 am Jamaica)