Matthews Returns to WI Women for Home South Africa Series

Captain Hayley Matthews returned to West Indies women 15-member squad for the upcoming white-ball home series against South Africa set for the 3Ws Oval in Barbados, from June 11-23.

The series will feature three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals.

The Maroon Warriors return to the Caribbean after a difficult tour of England, where they were unable to secure a win in the six-match One-Day International, ODI, and T20 International series.

Now back on home soil, the team is focused on regrouping, resetting, and reigniting their campaign in more familiar conditions as they aim to deliver stronger, more consistent performances on the international stage.

Despite the disappointing results in England, the West Indies Women showed glimpses of their potential especially from international debutants Jahzara Claxton, the first woman from St Kitts to play international cricket, and Guyanese Realeanna Grimmond, who scored a half century on her ODI debut.

Matthews emerged as the standout performer with 177 runs and three wickets in the T20I series and was duly named player of the series.

The Proteas Women arrive in the Caribbean ranked higher than the West Indies in both formats, with South Africa positioned 5th in both ODI and T20I rankings while the Maroon Warriors are ranked 9th in the ODI and 5th in the T20.

Matthews will once again lead the squad, which sees one change from the England tour, with experienced all-rounder Chinelle Henry coming in for Cherry-Ann Fraser.

Windies coach Shane Deitz is happy to have two of his star players back.

Shane Dietz.

The second T20 will be on June 22.

That game will be particularly special as it coincides with the CWI/WIPA Awards ceremony, celebrating the achievements of Caribbean cricket stars across both men’s and women’s cricket.

The full squad include, Matthews, vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle, Aaliyah Alleyne, Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Shakiba Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Grimmond, Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack and Stafanie Taylor.