WEST INDIES
Hosts and defending champions West Indies will look to reprise their amazing run in the last edition of Women’s World T20 in India where they beat Australia in Kolkata to win their maiden major international title in women’s cricket.
Eleven members of the 2016 winning team have been retained in the side. However, Stafanie Taylor-led side now faces the burden of expectations as well as the pressure of playing at home. In 2018, the Caribbean women have played only eight T20Is and won only two. They will be especially disappointed with the way they squandered the lead of 2-0 against South Africa and let the visitors win the last two matches of the four-match series. The team, though, is quite capable of raising their game and has a number of match-winners. The bowling has variety. While Shamilia Connell is the fastest bowler in the side and can dismantle any opposition with her pace, experienced tweaker Anisa Mohammed, who recently claimed a hat-trick in the T20Is, can run through sides. In batting, the Caribbean outfit will depend on skipper Taylor, Hayley Matthews, Natasha McLean and Deandra Dottin, who has two T20Is tons, to do the bulk of scoring.The hosts take on Bangladesh on the opening day of the tournament before playing South Africa on November 14,
Sri Lanka on November
16 and
England on Nov 18.
SQUAD: Stafanie Taylor(c), Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman
CAPTAIN PROFILE
Stafanie Taylor
Jamaica-born Stafanie Taylor loves to lead from the front with both bat and ball and nowhere it was more evident than the 2016 Women’s World T20 where she smashed 246 runs and took eight wickets and led the team to title triumph. She scored a stellar 56 against Australia in the final. In 2013, she became the only player in history to top rankings in both batting and bowling.
Age: 27, Matches: 88, Runs: 2662, Average: 36.97, Wickets: 74, Average: 17.10
STAR PLAYER PROFILE
Hayley Matthews
Hayley Matthews had a choice to choose between cricket and track and field having won a gold medal in javelin at the 2015 CARIFTA Games. She opted for cricket, a decision that has paid rich dividends to the West Indian cricket. Her skills with bat and ball are exceptional. She starred in the 2016 Women’s World T20 where she clobbered a 45-ball 66 to help West Indies chase down 149 against Australia in the final.
Age: 28, Matches: 53, Runs: 485, Average: 16.16, Wickets: 44, Average:
18.97