ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled a powerful 15-player West Indies Women’s squad to host Sri Lanka in a three-match One Day International series, set to bowl off at the National Cricket Stadium on February 20.

According to CWI, the series is far more than just a bilateral contest; it is a pivotal step in the Windies Women’s quest to climb the ICC Women’s Championship rankings.

With future ODI assignments against cricketing heavyweights Australia, as well as series against Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Pakistan later in the year, building momentum on home soil is paramount.

The team receives a massive boost with the return of captain Hayley Matthews, who has fully recovered from the shoulder injury that has sidelined her since last June.

Matthews will be supported by a new-look leadership group, with Chinelle Henry appointed vice-captain. Henry takes over the role from veteran wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle. The move signals a deliberate shift in the team’s leadership structure, looking toward a new era.

In another significant boost, explosive all-rounder Deandra Dottin is welcomed back into the fold. Dottin has been sidelined by injury for much of 2025, forcing her to miss crucial assignments, including the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers and subsequent tours.

Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe emphasised the deeper significance of the home series, framing it as an investment in the sport’s growth across the region.

“This home series is a cornerstone event, not just for team preparation but for the continued elevation of women’s cricket across the Caribbean,” Bascombe stated.

“Every match played here is an investment in our future. It is about providing a visible, high-performance pathway that shows every young woman in the region what is possible. Playing in front of our home fans in Grenada adds a profound layer of significance, so we want our team to feel the pride of the Maroon legacy and feed off that energy to inspire the next generation.”

Head Coach Shane Deitz is relishing the competitive challenge that Sri Lanka presents. The visitors currently hold a significant advantage in the ICC rankings, sitting 6th compared to the West Indies’ 9th position. Deitz made it clear his squad is hungry to settle an old score.

“We’re excited to have this series against Sri Lanka, who are a really good team. They beat us in the ODI series in Sri Lanka back in 2024, so we owe them one, and now we get them on our home turf,” said Deitz.

“It’ll be tough-fought against a team ranked higher than us, but the girls are excited about competing, putting on a good show and playing some great cricket for all our fans here in the Caribbean.”

The squad’s preparation has been thorough, featuring two high-performance camps in Antigua last year and a specialised training camp for 15 players in the player pool at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai, India.

SQUAD

Hayley Matthews (captain), Chinelle Henry (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Qiana Joseph, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Shunelle Sawh, Stafanie Taylor.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Head Coach Shane Deitz; Team Manager Sheena Gooding; assistant coaches: Ryan Austin, Damien Wright, Shane Dowrich; physiotherapist Ashley Stephens, Strength & Conditioning Coach Hector Martinez Charles; Performance Coach Dr Nadine Sammy; media & content officer Nicholas Maitland.

Hayley Matthews, West Indies captain