Team captain Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle have returned to the West Indies Women’s squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan and the 2021 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe immediately afterwards.

Both players have been named in a 15-member squad and three reserves selected for the three ODI series and subsequent World Cup qualifiers.

Taylor missed out on the recent home series against South Africa after being identified as a primary contact of a case of COVID-19 in Jamaica, while Campbelle missed the series against Pakistan Women in July and the South Africa series because of injury.

However, Campbelle impressed the selectors and coaches in the lone practice match before departure, by striking a century in 107 deliveries, which included 12 fours and a six.

West Indies Women lead selector Ann Browne-John said the players returning will strengthen the squad at an important juncture.

“The upcoming Pakistan series and World Cup qualifiers are crucial as the team works towards participation in the Cricket World Cup in 2022. It is important to note that Shemaine Campbelle is once again fit and available after being away through injury. She is one of the senior players and has shown herself to be one of the premier wicket-keepers in the world. She scored runs in the practice match since her return,” Browne-John said.

“The captain, Stafanie Taylor, who missed the South Africa Series, is also back which also serves to strengthen both the batting and bowling. The squad has a mix of senior and developing players and particular mention must be made of two young players, Qiana Joseph and Rashada Williams, who had very encouraging series against South Africa and hopefully they will go from strength to strength.”

The West Indies Women are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on November 1 for three ODIs from November 8-14 at the National Stadium in Karachi. At the conclusion of the series, the squad will travel directly to Zimbabwe after the ODI Series for the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2021 set for November 21-December 5.

They will be one of 10 teams, along with Pakistan, aiming to secure one of three qualifying places for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand in February 2022.

The West Indies Women last toured Pakistan in January 2019 for three T20 Internationals in Karachi.  

The full squad comprises Stafanie Taylor (captain), Anisa Mohammed (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman and Rashada Williams.

Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi and Karishma Ramharack are the travelling reserves.