Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: Stafanie Taylor named in West Indies squad, participation subject to fitness

The right-handed batting all-rounder Stafanie Taylor has been picked in the West Indies squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup starting from the 10th of February. Her place in the playing XI will be confirmed after she clears the fitness test, as she has been suffering from a low back injury. Other than Taylor, Shakera Selman, Chinelle Henry, and Chedean Nation are also selected in the Windies squad despite recovering from injuries.

The 31-year-old suffered an injury while batting in an ODI match against New Zealand at North Sound in September 2022. Since then, she missed the home series against England, and was also named in the West Indies squad for the ongoing Tri-Series in South Africa, but couldn’d get fit enough to be in the playing XI.

"For now it's just about the physio and medical people and the coaches managing the load with Stafanie," the T20 World Cup is the main picture for us here in South Africa and we want to try and manage her as best as possible and have her fit and ready for the World Cup," said West Indies captain Hayley Matthews as reported by Cricbuzz.

West Indies has also included, Zaida James, Trishan Holder, and Djenaba Joseph from the U19 T20 World Cup squad as injury backups. "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," said selector Ann Browne-John.

"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," Browne added.

Stafanie Taylor was the captain of West Indies in the 2016 T20 World Cup in India and led her team to its first-ever World Cup triumph.  The Caribbean hasn’t won any of their last 13 T20Is. They are in Group B alongside England, India, Pakistan, and Ireland for the upcoming tournament. 

West Indies squad for Women's T20 WC: 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, Rashada Williams.