The West Indies have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming six white-ball fixtures against Bangladesh, which are scheduled for the Caribbean.
This series, consisting of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20Is, will begin on January 19 and conclude on January 30. All the matches will be hosted at St Kitts, providing a unique challenge for both teams.
New Faces in the Squad
Fast-bowling allrounder Cherry-Ann Fraser and uncapped pacer Janelle Glasgow are this series’ most notable additions to the West Indies squad.
Fraser, who has previously represented the West Indies in both formats, will be looking to make a significant impact in her return to the side.
Although she has not had the opportunity to play an ODI, Glasgow has been travelling with the squad since 2023 and will be eager to showcase her talent.
Key Absentees from the Squad
However, the West Indies squad will be without some key players from their recent tour of India. Shamilia Connell, a reliable fast bowler, and Rashada Williams, a middle-order batter, will both be absent for the Bangladesh series.
Additionally, veteran allrounder Stafanie Taylor, who has been sidelined due to a knee injury, continues her recovery and will not be available for selection.
Fraser and Glasgow’s International Experience
Fraser has played 12 ODIs, her most recent appearance being in October 2023 against Australia. Her last international match was in June 2024, a T20I against Sri Lanka.
Glasgow, on the other hand, has made four T20I appearances, the most recent being against Pakistan in May 2024. Although she has been part of the West Indies ODI squad since 2023, she has yet to debut in the 50-over format.
West Indies’ Struggle for World Cup Qualification
The West Indies are currently positioned ninth in the Women’s Championship table. With 14 points from 21 matches, they face an uphill battle to secure a direct qualification for the 2026 ICC Women’s World Cup.
Even if they win all three ODIs against Bangladesh, they will only finish with 20 points, which will not be enough to push them into the top six. New Zealand currently holds the sixth spot with 21 points.
However, the West Indies’ opponents, Bangladesh, find themselves in a more favourable position. With 19 points from 21 matches, Bangladesh still has a chance to overtake New Zealand and secure a top-six finish, thus qualifying for the World Cup. For those interested in online gaming, it’s worth noting that this situation is entirely unrelated to platforms like billy 777 login.
Coach’s Perspective on the Upcoming Series
West Indies head coach Shane Deitz expressed his optimism ahead of the series, emphasizing the importance of this encounter in their preparation for future tournaments.
“Bangladesh’s visit comes at an ideal time in our preparation cycle,” Deitz said. “They’re a skilled unit that has shown impressive growth, and this series gives us an excellent opportunity to examine our squad depth and continue to implement our aggressive, flamboyant brand of West Indian cricket.”
Deitz also highlighted the specific areas of improvement the team has been focusing on in training. The series against Bangladesh will test their progress. The challenging conditions at Warner Park, where the series will be held, are expected to provide a compelling cricketing spectacle.
First Bilateral Series Between the Two Teams
This will be the first-ever bilateral series between the West Indies and Bangladesh, and it will also mark Bangladesh’s inaugural tour of the Caribbean. Their last ODI encounter was three years ago, at the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. West Indies emerged victorious by just four runs.
The two teams have met five times in international cricket—four times in T20Is and once in an ODI—and the West Indies remain unbeaten in all these encounters. However, the West Indies are coming off two consecutive ODI series defeats, first against India and then against Sri Lanka. As a result, they will be keen to bounce back and end their six-match losing streak with a strong performance against Bangladesh.
Full West Indies ODI and T20I Squad
Here’s the full list of the West Indies squad for the six-match series:
- Hayley Matthews (captain)
- Shemaine Campbelle (vice-captain)
- Aaliyah Alleyne
- Nerissa Crafton
- Deandra Dottin
- Afy Fletcher
- Shabika Gajnabi
- Chinelle Henry
- Zaida James
- Qiana Joseph
- Mandy Mangru
- Ashmini Munisar
- Karishma Ramharack
- Cherry-Ann Fraser
- Jannillea Glasgow
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Final Thoughts
As the West Indies prepare for this crucial series against Bangladesh, both teams will be eager to test their strengths and weaknesses. The series presents a vital opportunity for the West Indies to regain momentum, assess their squad depth, and prepare for future challenges.
Bangladesh can make its mark in the Caribbean and take another step towards World Cup qualification. Fans from both sides can look forward to an exciting and competitive series.
