− Campbelle out due to personal reasons
By Brandon Corlette
Berbician Shabika Gajnabi has recently been selected to vice captain the West Indies Women’s ‘A’ Team for the upcoming T20 series against Pakistan Women starting from June 30 in Antigua.
According to West Indies Women’s Lead Selector Ann Browne-John, Gajnabi has been unanimously selected to this role, as she displayed leadership skills while captaining Guyana’s Under-19. “We have been looking at these players since Under-19. We saw leadership qualities, and we saw that we can groom her for the future,” Browne-John said.
West Indies Women’s Head Coach Courtney Walsh has disclosed that Gajnabi shows promise in all three departments. “One of the reasons why we got her in that leadership role is that she has been around for a while and has shown promise in all three departments, and she has the potential to be a good all-rounder. Her batting has been good in this camp, and she is now believing in herself a lot more, in her skill-set.
“The ability that she has will play a role in the team. As I said to her this morning, we are not looking at her short-term, we are looking at her long-term, she has the ability to be a genuine all-rounder. So, it’s a work in progress, and she is working really hard,” Walsh said in response to a question posted by this publication.
Walsh has said he is looking for the West Indies Women to register all-round performances while being consistent.
“We are trying to improve in all three departments. The batting might not have been up to par, but we are focusing on improving,” Walsh said.
The former legendary West Indies fast-bowler has said he is hoping the Caribbean team can perform at their best, and give the selectors a headache to select teams.
“We want to play good cricket and win as many matches as possible. West Indies Women have been working extensively in training camps”.
According to Walsh, these camps helped the team to come together and have some good practice in the form of matches and scenario.
“Pakistan is not a walkover team, so this is going to be a good test for us. So, I think belief is important, while having that level of consistency and game awareness,” Walsh echoed. In relation to fitness in the Women’s Team, Walsh said the team has had some serious discussions.
“We have had open discussions and that level has stepped up and the fitness level is getting better. It is not where we want…to be, but it is heading in the right direction,” Walsh added.
It has been confirmed that Shemaine Campbelle is not available because of personal reasons. Additionally, the recuperating Deandra Dottin will not be bowling in this series. Walsh noted that while winning is important, being consistent and performing at optimum is key.
West Indies would be aiming to play good cricket and succeed in the World Cup qualifiers.
WI Women T20I – Stafanie Taylor (captain), Anisa Mohammed, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman.
WI Women’s A TEAM – Reniece Boyce (captain), Shabika Gajnabi (vice-captain), Shanika Bruce, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Jannillea Glasgow, Sheneta Grimmond, Caneisha Isaac, Zaida James, Japhina Joseph, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Kaysia Schultz, Steffie Soogrim, Rachel Vincent, Rashada Williams. (GTimes)
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