ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – West Indies Women’s Head Coach Shane Deitz says the upcoming white ball series against Bangladesh is the perfect litmus test to measure the strides they have made in the past few weeks.

The Windies Women come into the series on the back of a disappointing tour of India in December when they lost the Twenty20 International (T20I) series 2-1 before being swept 3-0 in the One-Day International (ODI) series.

While it will be the first-ever tour of the Caribbean for the Bangladesh Women, Deitz sees it as the perfect opportunity for the Windies Women to gauge their progress.

The two teams will play three ODIs and three T20s at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts.

“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.

“We have been focusing on specific areas of improvement in our training and touring, and these matches will help us gauge our progress.

“The conditions at Warner Park will challenge both teams and make for compelling cricket. I’m looking forward to seeing how some of our younger and less-experienced players respond to the test.”

The two teams last met in the group stage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates, where West Indies Women secured an eight-wicket victory at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Their last ODI meeting, which took place nearly three years ago in New Zealand, resulted in a four-run victory for the West Indies.

Overall, the two teams have met five times in international competition — four times in T20Is and once in an ODI — and West Indies are yet to taste defeat.

The West Indies will be led by Hayley Matthews, but will once again have to do without the services of veteran Stafanie Taylor who is still recovering from a knee injury.

However, Jannillea Glasgow and Cherry Ann Fraser, who recently had successful stints in state cricket in Tasmania, have been included in the 15-member squad.

West Indies Squad

Hayley Matthews (captain)

Shemaine Campbelle (vice-captain)

Aaliyah Alleyne

Nerissa Crafton

Deandra Dottin

Afy Fletcher

Cherry Ann Fraser

Shabika Gajnabi

Jannillea Glasgow

Chinelle Henry

Zaida James

Qiana Joseph

Mandy Mangru

Ashmini Munisar

Karishma Ramharack