Cricket West Indies Expand Annual Contract Retainer List To 18 For The 2021/22 Season

Cricket West Indies has expanded the number of offered retainer contracts for its women cricketers for the 2021/22 season to a record number of 18 cricketers.

This is an increase of three retainer contracts as compared to the 2020-21 season with contracts offered for the very first time to young players like Kaysia Schultz and Qiana Joseph.

The three players will now join the 15 retained players from the last season which includes captain Stafanie Taylor, all-rounder Deandra Dottin and leading T20I wicket-taker Anisa Mohammed.

The decision is in continuation with Cricket West Indies investment towards Women’s and Girl’s cricket which is aimed at strengthening and expanding the pool of cricketers as well as encourage greater participation in the women’s game.

“The last contract period did not see many international matches as we only played five T20I matches against England. Despite this, the contracted players were able to keep themselves fit and match ready. It was therefore the fairest decision to return all fifteen to contract,” said Cricket West Indies chief Women’s selector, Ann Browne-John.

Additionally, it is really a positive that three new development contracts have been awarded for the upcoming year. This will allow the requisite focus to be placed on these young players as they continue to progress their careers. There has been a lack of left-arm orthodox bowlers in the region, therefore Joseph and Schultz will hopefully help fill this void; with Joseph also bringing her left-hand batting skills which is also limited in the region. Hector is one of the bright young fast bowlers who has been bowling with great aggression in the past few training camps.” she added.

Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams said-

“I am delighted for all the players who have been awarded central contracts, especially those who are new to the contract list. We saw fit to expand the list of retained players by awarding additional development contracts to three young players who the selectors strongly recommended for inclusion.”

West Indies Women’s contracted players 2021-2022 Season:

Qiana Joseph, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry