The West Indies women’s team has retained the same squad for the upcoming T20 International series against Australia, keeping faith in the group that recently faced Sri Lanka. Despite a 2–0 defeat in their last series, the selectors have opted for continuity as the team prepares to take on the world’s top-ranked side.

Led by captain Hayley Matthews, the Caribbean squad will face Australia in a three-match T20I series at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in Kingstown. The team combines experienced campaigners such as Matthews, Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle and Deandra Dottin with promising young players including teenage prospects Eboni Brathwaite and Jahzara Claxton.

The series will serve as a crucial preparation phase for both teams ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in the United Kingdom in June.

West Indies head coach Shane Deitz said the challenge of facing the top-ranked Australian team will provide an important benchmark for his side.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity to play the number one ranked ODI and T20 team in the world,” Deitz said. “With the World Cup approaching, this series will help us understand where we stand in our preparation. Playing against the best team allows us to identify areas that need improvement and also recognise what we are doing well.”

Deitz added that it will be an important test for the team as they aim to measure their progress since their last competitive meeting with Australia in October 2023.

“It’s going to be a very tough series, but the players are ready for the challenge. We haven’t faced Australia in a competitive match for quite some time, so this is a good opportunity to assess how much we’ve improved and where we still need to get better before the World Cup.”

The three-match T20I series will begin on March 19, with the remaining games scheduled for March 21 and March 23 at the same venue. Following the T20Is, the teams will also contest a three-match One-Day International series at Warner Park in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Originally, the tour also included a Test match, but it was later removed from the schedule as West Indies Cricket prioritised white-ball preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup.

West Indies Women T20I Squad:
Hayley Matthews (captain), Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Eboni Brathwaite, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Shawnisha Hector, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor.