Dottin back in WI Women’s squad for T20 World Cup

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Explosive batting all-rounder Deandra Dottin has been named in a West Indies Women’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The 33-year-old Dottin, who resigned from international cricket in August 2022, reversed her retirement last month, and has already made a significant impact by guiding the Trinbago Knight Riders to the Women’s Caribbean Premier League final.

She has played in 120 T20Is for the West Indies, scoring 2697 runs at an average of 25.68 and has also grabbed 62 wickets at an economy rate of 6.42

The announcement was made yesterday during Cricket West Indies’ quarterly press conference.

West Indies Women’s head coach Shane Deitz said Dottin’s return was a boost for the side, which will be led by Hayley Matthews for the October 3 to 20 tournament.

“Deandra is back ... and it’s great to have Deandra back. Obviously, her record speaks for itself and her history as a world-class player speaks for itself so it’s fantastic to have her back ... Her record is phenomenal and she’s doing it again at the WCPL as we speak,” Deitz said.

“She gives us flexibility, powerhouse hitting, smart batting as well, unbelievable fielder, some depth bowling and some other bowling in between, and also to help the younger players handle going into a World Cup.

“She’s been there and done it all before and what I also like is that she really steps up to bowl the big overs and make the big plays in a match. She’s an absolute winner and you can’t have enough of those in your team. I’m excited to have her back,” he added.

Four changes have been made to the squad that defeated Pakistan 4-1 and Sri Lanka 2-1 in their last two T20 series.

Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Rashada Williams and Late Wilmott have been dropped while Dottin, Ashmini Munisar, Mandy Mangru and Nerissa Crafton have been added.

Deitz said the make-up of the squad would allow for “variations and flexibility” during the T20 World Cup.

“I think the key things for the selection and the squad and the team is our variations and flexibility. Obviously in women’s cricket the top three teams in Australia, England and India, they’ve dominated for a while … so it’s a big challenge to try and compete with them.

“We can’t go in doing things we have done in the past; we have to think outside the square a little bit and surprise them with a few different types of tactics. We want to work on what are strengths are and our strengths really are in our all-round status of the players,” Deitz pointed out.

West Indies Women, who won the T20 World Cup in 2016, will battle in Group B alongside Bangladesh, England, Scotland and South Africa.

They will play their first match on October 4 against South Africa at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

SQUAD: Hayley Matthews (captain), Shermaine Campbelle (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Ashmini Munisar, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton, Qiana Joseph, Shamila Connell, Stafanie Taylor, Zaida James.