ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Barbadians Asabi Callender and Erin Deane have been named as co-captains of a West Indies Women Under-19 squad to tour England in the coming days.

The team, which will arrive in the United Kingdom on August 19, was announced on Sunday by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The tour will serve as vital preparation for the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s Twenty20 Cricket World Cup, set to run from January 18 to February 2, 2025 in Malaysia.

The West Indies women are set to bowl off their World Cup campaign against defending champions India.

CWI’s Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe said he expects the players to benefit greatly from the experience in England. “This tour is a critical stepping stone in our preparation for the ICC Women’s U-19 Cricket World Cup. The matches against strong international teams will test our players and help us fine-tune our strategies ahead of the global tournament,” Bascombe said.

In a press release CWI said the squad, led by co-captains Callender and Deane, represents the best of emerging talent in West Indies women’s cricket.

It further pointed out that the players have shown great promise and are expected to gain invaluable experience on this tour as they prepare for the world stage.

The tour will see the team participate in a series of highly competitive matches, including an England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) development tournament.

It will feature teams from Scotland and Ireland, with the West Indies Women Under-19 team guaranteed three T20 matches.

In addition, three fixtures have been scheduled against an ECB Southern Under-19 Women’s Regional team, comprising two days of T20 double-headers and a 30-over match on the third day.

West Indies squad: Asabi Callender (co-captain), Erin Deane (co-captain), Elecia Bowman, Abigail Bryce, Kenika Cassar, Dicoreya Collymore, Trisha Hardat, Theanny Herbert-Mayers, Brianna Harricharan, Danellie Manns, Aneisha Miller, Amrita Ramtahal, Selena Ross, Kristen Sutherland, Aaliyah Weekes

Management: Steve Liburd (head coach), Shane Brooks (assistant coach), Ashley Stephens (physiotherapist), Yvonne Arthur (strength and conditioning coach), Merissa Aguilliera (team manager)