New Delhi, Jan 9 (NationPress) The West Indies have officially announced the inclusion of Cherry Ann Fraser and Jannillea Glasgow in their squad for the forthcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh, taking place from January 19-31 at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts.
The newly appointed players have recently excelled in state cricket with the Tasmania team in Australia, stepping in for Rashada Willams and Shamilia Connell in the lineup led by all-rounder Hayley Matthews.
“The visit from Bangladesh is perfectly timed within our preparation cycle. They are a talented squad that has demonstrated significant development, and this series presents an excellent chance to assess our squad's depth while continuing to adopt our vibrant and aggressive style of West Indian cricket.
“We have been concentrating on specific areas for enhancement during our training and tours, and these matches will serve as a valuable measure of our advancement. The conditions at Warner Park will pose challenges for both teams, leading to exciting cricket. I am eager to see how some of our younger and less experienced players handle this challenge,” remarked head coach Shane Deitz.
This series consists of three ODIs and three T20Is, marking the inaugural women's bilateral series between the West Indies and Bangladesh, as well as Bangladesh's first tour to the Caribbean for a series. The teams last faced each other during the group stage of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE on October 10, where the West Indies secured an eight-wicket victory.
Their most recent ODI clash occurred nearly three years prior in New Zealand on March 18, 2022, with the West Indies claiming a narrow four-run win. Overall, the two teams have competed five times on the international stage—four times in T20Is and once in an ODI—with the West Indies remaining unbeaten.
Currently, the West Indies sit in ninth place in the ICC Women’s Championship and must break into the top six for automatic qualification.
However, it is mathematically improbable for the West Indies to secure this, as New Zealand occupies sixth place with 21 points, while the hosts can achieve a maximum of 20 points by winning all three ODIs against Bangladesh. As the situation stands, the West Indies might find themselves competing in the qualifiers later this year alongside Ireland, Pakistan, and another team, possibly Bangladesh or New Zealand.
“We are excited to welcome Bangladesh for this thrilling white-ball series. This tour holds significant importance as it enhances our bilateral cricket ties, offers valuable match practice for our team, and provides opportunities to secure critical points in the ICC Women’s Championship.
“We have observed the progress of Bangladesh in recent times, and these matches will be pivotal for both teams. We are particularly enthusiastic about showcasing our women's team to a broader home audience, giving cricket fans throughout the region the chance to witness international women’s cricket live.
“These bilateral series are crucial for the ongoing advancement of women’s cricket globally and in our region. We anticipate some highly competitive matches across both formats,” stated Miles Bascombe, Director of Cricket at Cricket West Indies (CWI).
West Indies squad: Hayley Matthews (captain), Shemaine Campbelle (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Nerissa Crafton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, and Karishma Ramharack
