West Indies women’s cricket team announced for Australia tour, opportunity for young players

New Delhi (HS). West Indies have included offspinner Karishma Ramharak and Under-19 prospect Genelia Glasgow in their squad for the upcoming T20 and ODI tour of Australia in October.

Several top performers in the recent Women’s Caribbean Premier League, as well as key players from the side that defeated Ireland 3-0 in the home T20 series in July, have been included in the strong 15-member squad.

The team will be led by star all-rounder Hayley Matthews and this is the team’s first tour under new coach Shane Dietz. Earlier this year, Courtney Walsh was removed as coach following a review of the team’s performance and his contract was not renewed.

In addition to an almost decade-long first-class career with South Australia, Dietz has had heavy involvement with Vanuatu as a player and coach in men’s associate cricket and has coached both the Bangladesh Women and Netherlands Women teams.

West Indies chief women’s selector Ann Browne-John is excited by the mix of youth and experience in the team.

Brown-John said, “The selection panel has decided to retain most of the players who were victorious in the home series against Ireland. “Genilia Glasgow has been included in the 15-member squad after her impressive performance in the Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 tournament and we are looking forward to the return of Karishma Ramharaik.”

“We have continued to rely on some developing players,” he said. “This is a team that we are confident can produce competitive cricket against a top team like Australia under the guidance of the new head coach and the leadership of captain Hayley Matthews.”

West Indies women’s team: Hayley Matthews (captain), Shamaine Campbell (vice-captain), Aliya Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Effie Fletcher, Cherie Ann Fraser, Shabika Ghazanbi, Janilia Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Zainaba Joseph, Ashmini Muniser, Karishma Ramharack, Stephanie Taylor, Rashada Williams.