Campbelle returns to WI Women’s ODI squad

Shemaine Campbelle
Shemaine Campbelle

Established wicketkeeper/batter, Shemaine Campbelle, is back in the West Indies Women’s side, joining four of her countrywomen for the first two One Day Internationals against England Women.

This was announced by Cricket West Indies yesterday.

The side  will also see the return of Kycia Knight to the 14-member squad.

Campbelle is one of the most senior players in the side and could be in line to make her 100th appearance in ODIs. The 30-year-old’s next appearance will see her becoming the fifth West Indian woman to play 100 ODIs, following Stafanie Taylor, Anisa Mohammed, Deandra Dottin and Merissa Aguilleira.

Knight is another seasoned player with 84 matches in the format under her belt.

Lead selector, Ann Browne-John noted, “The return of Shemaine Campbelle and Kycia Knight to the ODI squad after missing the last series due to injury will bolster the team in the absence of the experienced Stafanie Taylor who is still recuperating from injury sustained during September’s series against New Zealand.”

The side will be led by Hayley Matthews and Shakera Selman who is serving as her deputy. Also included in the squad are Guyanese quartet, Shabika Gajnabi, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Sheneta Grimmond and Kaysia Schultz.

Browne-John pointed out that these matches are vital as points earned will take them closer towards automatic qualification for the next International Cricket Council’s Women’s World Cup in 2025.

The top five teams in the Women’s Championship will automatically qualify for the 2025 World Cup while the remaining five teams will go through the World Cup Qualifier.

The lead selector contended that this series will also provide important preparation for the upcoming Tri-Series against India and South Africa as well as the Women’s T20 World Cup.

The first match bowls off on Sunday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua from 14.00 hours followed by the second match on Tuesday before closing off the series on Friday.

The sides will then turn their attention to the T20I format for five matches from December 11 to 22.

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE

CG United ODI Series

4 December: 1st CG United ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – 2pm Eastern Caribbean/1pm Jamaica

6 December: 2nd CG United ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – 2pm Eastern Caribbean/1pm Jamaica

9 December: 3rd CG United ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – 2pm Eastern Caribbean/1pm Jamaica

T20I Series

11 December: 1st T20I, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, 6pm Eastern Caribbean/5pm Jamaica

14 December: 2nd T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 6pm Eastern Caribbean/5pm Jamaica

17 December: 3rd T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 6pm Eastern Caribbean/5pm Jamaica

18 December: 4th T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 6pm Eastern Caribbean/5pm Jamaica

22 December: 5th T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 6pm Eastern Caribbean/5pm Jamaica