WI Women camp convenes in Antigua

ST JOHN’S (CMC):

Head coach Courtney Walsh will oversee his first assignment since taking charge of West Indies Women, when the Caribbean side gather here for a three-week camp, starting this weekend.

A 24-member group, headed by captain Stafanie Taylor, will undergo training at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, and will also be tested four times, in keeping with the protocols instituted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

All players were tested twice before their arrival here.

Walsh, who took over the side last October, said he was looking forward to the sessions, which is also the first for the side since their Twenty20 International tour of England last September.

“It’s very gratifying that the camp can take place during this challenging COVID-19 period, as the players are excited about getting down to work,” the former West Indies fast bowler said.

“We have a good mixture of youth and experience coming into the camp, and I’m especially looking forward to working with some of the younger talent we have coming through.”

Training Group

The training group comprises the core of the existing international side, with Taylor joined by the experienced Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Shemaine Campbelle and Shakera Selman.

However, selectors have included the uncapped duo of Vincentian Japhina Joseph and Trinidadian Steffi Soogrim, with Quiana Joseph returning to the mix four years after playing only two One-Day Internationals.

Players will benefit from a coaching staff which includes former West Indies players Robert Samuels and Corey Collymore, ex-Barbados off-spinner Ryan Austin, former Leeward Islands player Steve Liburd, and Level Three coach Samantha Lynch.

High Performance Manager Graeme West will have oversight for the camp.

Walsh says the blend in the coaching staff augurs well for player development.

“We have Samantha Lynch joining us and she did her Level Three coaching certification training at the same time as me, so I know her very well,” he said.

“This camp will be a good experience for her, and I expect her to quickly become an asset to the team.

“I think we have a good blend of players and coaches, and I’m looking forward to a great camp.”

The camp kicks off preparation for the World Cup qualifiers set for July in Sri Lanka.

SQUAD

Stafanie Taylor (captain)

Aaliyah Alleyne

Reniece Boyce

Shemaine Campbelle

Shamilia Connell

Britney Cooper

Deandra Dottin

Afy Fletcher

Cherry-Ann Fraser

Shabika Gajnabi

Sheneta Grimmond

Shawnisha Hector

Chinelle Henry

Qiana Joseph

Japhina Joseph

Kyshona Knight

Hayley Matthews

Natasha McLean

Anisa Mohammed

Chedean Nation

Karishma Ramharack

Kaysia Schultz

Shakera Selman

Steffi Soogrim