🏏 Star all-rounder out injured as West Indies name squad for World Cup Qualifier

Experienced all-rounder Deandra Dottin is a notable absentee as the West Indies revealed a strong 15-member squad to compete at the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025 in Pakistan between April 9-19.

Dottin injured herself during the recent Women's Premier League tournament in India and hasn't recovered in time to feature in the six-team tournament.

The loss of Dottin is a blow for the Caribbean side, given the 33-year-old was the West Indies' leading run-scorer during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup last year.

🏆 Hayley Matthews to lead a balanced squad

Hayley Matthews is once again named captain of the side, with the all-rounder ranked among the top 10 players across all three categories in the ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings.

The squad remains largely unchanged from the team that played against Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series as part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25.

A total of 12 players from that series-winning squad are retained, with Nerissa Crafton, Djenaba Joseph, and Dottin missing out. The trio is replaced by Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, and Rashada Williams.

🗣️ Matthews confident ahead of qualifiers

Matthews believes the squad is well-balanced and is confident about a strong showing during the qualifiers.

“As we head into the World Cup Qualifiers, we know we’ve prepared well for this moment. The team environment feels like a family, and we’ve all been enjoying ourselves out on the park," Matthews said.

“We trust our skills and each other and are staying focused on playing our best cricket without any distractions. Winning this is a big goal for us as a team, and we’re confident in our chances to perform at a high level.”

🎯 Spin attack led by Afy Fletcher

Afy Fletcher, who scalped 10 wickets in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, will lead the spin attack alongside Karishma Ramharack.

West Indies finished eighth in the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25 standings and will compete against Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, and Pakistan in the qualifiers.

The top two teams at the end of the round-robin tournament will qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India.

🏅 Teams already qualified for Women's Cricket World Cup 2025

Defending champions Australia, along with England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand, have already secured their spots. They join host nation India after finishing in the top five of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25.

📋 West Indies Squad:

• Hayley Matthews (c)
• Shemaine Campbelle
• Aaliyah Alleyne
• Afy Fletcher
• Cherry Ann Fraser
• Shabika Gajnabi
• Jannillea Glasgow
• Chinelle Henry
• Zaida James
• Qiana Joseph
• Mandy Mangru
• Ashmini Munisar
• Karishma Ramharack
• Stafanie Taylor
• Rashada Williams

🔑 Keywords:

• West Indies
• ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier
• Deandra Dottin
• Hayley Matthews
• ICC Women's Championship
• Women's Cricket
• West Indies Squad
• Afy Fletcher