Matthews leads well-rounded WI Women's T20 World Cup squad

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies has unveiled a 15-player squad for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, set to take place across England and Wales from June 5 to July 5, with a clear tactical blueprint aimed at conquering English conditions. Hayley Matthews will captain the side, with Chinelle Henry serving as her vice-captain.

The squad blends explosive power hitters, wily spinners, and adaptable seam bowlers, including veteran stars Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor alongside emerging talents such as Jahzara Claxton and Shawnisha Hector.

Following months of detailed analysis, the selection panel prioritised players capable of sustaining aggressive run rates, handling both seam and spin, and performing under pressure in the unpredictable weather and pitch conditions of England and Wales. Head coach Shane Deitz made no secret of West Indies’ game plan.

“We know that in these conditions, strong powerplay batting and sustained scoring through the middle overs will be critical to winning games,” Deitz said. “Our analysis showed that when we score positively in the power play, particularly getting beyond that 45-run mark, we give ourselves a much stronger opportunity to control matches. With the ball, we need to restrict boundaries in the powerplay and throughout the innings.”

Deitz emphasised the squad’s flexibility at the top of the order, batting depth, and bowlers who can switch between attack and defence on command.

Before the World Cup, the West Indies Women will fine-tune their preparations at a training camp in Wales before competing in the Evara Women’s International Tri-series in Ireland from May 28 to June 3, facing hosts Ireland and Pakistan.

The team then returns to England for two official warm-up matches, against India on June 8 and Australia on June 10, ahead of their group-stage opener against New Zealand on June 13.

Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe said every detail of the preparation schedule was intentional.

“We have been very deliberate in how we structured the team’s preparation for this tournament,” Bascombe said. “The camp in Wales was designed to immerse the players in conditions similar to what they will experience throughout the World Cup. The tri-nation series in Ireland is another critical component, as it gives the squad valuable competitive match exposure against quality international opposition immediately before the tournament.”

West Indies Women’s Squad for Tri-Nation Series & ICC World Cup

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