Connell upbeat upon return as West Indies anticipate Tri-Series challenge
EAST LONDON, South Africa – West Indies Women arrived in South Africa on Thursday for a Tri-Series against the home team and India Women as preparations ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February. Experienced fast bowler Shamilia Connell has made a return to the squad having missed out on the recent home series against England, due to injury.
Having put in hours of rehabilitation and strength and conditioning, Connell is of the firm belief that the South African conditions will favour the West Indian quick bowlers.
“The conditions suit fast bowling, so we just have to be consistent with our lines and lengths and we should be able to pick up wickets. Personally, I’ve been doing the hard work and I am ready now to execute.”
South Africa has been somewhat of a lucky charm for the West Indies Women over the years in the build-up to World Cups. They had a series in South Africa in 2016 prior to winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in India that same year. Then in 2022, prior to the ICC Women’s Cricket World, the Maroon Warriors also had a series in South Africa and progressed to the semi-finals of that tournament. Connell is hoping that this pre-World Cup series can spark a third run and a second T20 World Cup title for the team.
She said:
“I consider South Africa to be our second home, we had successes in the 2016 and 2022 World Cups when we’ve had pre-tournament series here, so I’m hoping we can win another title here.”
The West Indies Women had a difficult home series against England Women to end off 2022, which saw them losing both the One-Day International and T20 International series. Connell is hoping that the challenge of playing against India and South Africa, will increase their chances of better performances both in the Tri-Series and then the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Connell added:
“India and South Africa are both very challenging teams so series will help build our confidence going into the World Cup. We have a good chance of better results in this Tri-Series than we did against England, players just have to each pull their weight to contribute to the team’s performance.”
The West Indies Women will play at least four matches, playing two matches each against hosts South Africa and India. The two leading teams will then play each other in the Tri-Series Final on 2 February. West Indies will also play a warm-up match against South Africa ahead of the Tri-Series at Beacon Bay on 16 January.
Final squads for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa must be submitted by 2 February. The eighth edition of the marquee ICC Women’s event will begin on 10 February with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. West Indies have been drawn in Group 2 alongside England, India, Pakistan and Ireland.
FULL SQUAD
- Hayley Matthews (Captain)
- Aaliyah Alleyne
- Shanika Bruce
- Shemaine Campbelle
- Shamilia Connell
- Britney Cooper
- Chedean Nation
- Afy Fletcher
- Shabika Gajnabi
- Sheneta Grimmond
- Chinelle Henry
- Karishma Ramharack
- Kaysia Schultz
- Shakera Selman
- Stafanie Taylor
- Rashada Williams
FULL MATCH SCHEDULE
16 January: warm-up match vs South Africa XI at Beacon Bay (start time TBC)
T20I Tri-Series Match Schedule
(all matches to be played at Buffalo Park, East London)
21 January: vs South Africa, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
23 January: vs India, 7pm local time (1pm Eastern Caribbean/12noon Jamaica)
25 January: vs South Africa, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
30 January: vs India, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
2 February: Tri-Series Final, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)
-ENDS-