The experienced all-rounder Stafanie Taylor has made a comeback in the Caribbean fold as she has been included in 15-member strong West Indies' squad for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup 2023. The marquee tournament is set to be played from February 10 to February 26 in South Africa.
The former West Indies women's team skipper Taylor will be given every chance to prove her fitness ahead of the marquee tournament.
The star all-rounder was struggling with a back problem ahead of the start of the T20 World Cup 2023, but selectors are hopeful that the 31-year-old will be able to compete. Taylor was one of 15 players chosen to the West Indies team on Wednesday, with fellow all-rounder Hayley Matthews leading the Caribbean side alongside vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle.
“Following further assessment of Stafanie Taylor’s back injury by a specialist in Johannesburg, she has travelled to Cape Town for more treatment and to commence her return to play protocols ahead of the Team’s arrival on Friday. The Cricket West Indies Medical Team will continue to support and care for Stafanie and we wish her all the very best in her efforts to return to full fitness in time to participate in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup,” West Indies cricket Twitter post read.
There are three players from the recent Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup in the team - Zaida James, Trishan Holder, and Djenaba Joseph - and lead selector Ann Browne-John is certain the trio can make meaningful contributions.
"The selectors have opted for a blend of youth and experience for the upcoming T20 World Cup. We continue the developmental pathway to grow women's cricket in the region, hence we feel the time is right to include three of the Under 19 Rising Stars in the squad. We believe the 15 players consist of a good all-round mix and we expect them to be able to compete in this World Cup," Ann Browne-John said in an official statement released by Cricket West Indies (CWI).
The marquee tournament will see 10 teams, including three former champions, battling out for the coveted title. In the eighth edition of the tournament, the ten teams will be divided into two groups of five and each team will face each team of their respective group in single round-robin format with the top two teams progressing to the knock-out round. Defending and record champions Australia have been drawn alongside hosts South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Group 1, while India are grouped along with 2009 winner England, 2016 winner West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland in Group 2.
West Indies will play their first match of the tournament coming against England in Paarl on February 11.
West Indies' Women's T20 World Cup squad: Hayley Matthews (c), Shemaine Campbelle (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor and Rashada Williams.
