Stafanie Taylor Selected For The West Indies T20 World Cup Roster, Subject To Fitness Test

Published - 02 Feb 2023, 12:03 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Stafanie Taylor (Image Credit: Twitter)

Subject to passing a final physical test, Stafanie Taylor has been selected for the West Indies team to compete in this month’s T20 World Cup.

The veteran all-rounder and former skipper Taylor, who guided the West Indies to the championship in 2016, has been dealing with a back problem. She last played for her country in an ODI versus New Zealand in September, scoring an undefeated half-century but retiring injured after winning Player of the Match. She hasn’t participated in a T20I since July 2021.

Stephanie Taylor [photo: Twitter] — Stafanie Taylor [photo: Twitter]

Stafanie Taylor Travels To Cape Town For Further Treatment

Shakera Selman, Chinelle Henry, and Chedean Nation, three additional senior players who are rehabilitating from injuries, are included in Stafanie Taylor’s 15-person roster. Taylor saw a back injury specialist in Johannesburg, according to CWI’s Twitter account, and then she travelled to Cape Town to receive more care and to “commence her return-to-play protocols” before 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,” CWI added.

Stafanie Taylor Hayley Matthews — Stafanie Taylor (right) and Hayley Matthews. Image: Twitter

Three players from the West Indies team that competed in the first Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which was also held in South Africa and was won by India on Sunday, have also been called up. Djenaba Joseph, Zaida James, and Trishan Holder, who played for Barbados in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, are allrounders who recently played in a home series against England.

All three participated in West Indies’ eight-wicket loss to India in the tri-series finale on Sunday in South Africa after being called up as backups for the older players recovering from injuries.

“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,” lead selector Ann Browne-John said.

“Zaida brings both left-hand batting and left-arm orthodox bowling, both of which the team has been missing in recent times. Djenaba is a batting allrounder and Trishan a powerful striker and wicketkeeping option. They have all proven that they can hold their own at this level.”

West Indies Women’s Team In Poor Form

Shemaine Campbelle, a wicketkeeper and batter, will serve as Hayley Matthews’ deputy captain. Along with Stafanie Taylor, Selman, Shamilia Connell, and Afy Fletcher, the pair is one of six players that won the championship seven years ago.

However, West Indies’ recent performance has been concerning. Since September of last year, they have lost all 13 of their T20 international matches. In the tri-series, which will be decided on Thursday by the match between South Africa and India, they have lost all four of their games by sizable margins.

West Indies Women's Cricket team — Photo Credit: (ICC)

West Indies’ World Cup campaign will get underway against England on February 11 at Paarl’s Boland Park after being placed in Group 2 with England, India, Pakistan, and Ireland.

West Indies squad: Hayley Matthews (capt), Shemaine Campbelle, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams

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