Taylor, Cooper return to West Indies squad for tri-series against South Africa, India

Allrounder Stafanie Taylor and middle-order batter Britney Cooper have returned to West Indies' squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series against South Africa and India. Shamilia Connell and Shakera Selman have also come back after injuries to bolster the pace attack, with West Indies naming 16 players for the tournament, which will act as their final preparation before the T20 World Cup.

Taylor has been out of action since retiring hurt in the second ODI against New Zealand in September, and thus being ruled out of the entire five-match T20I series that followed. Cooper, on the other hand, last played for West Indies during the home series against South Africa in September 2021.

"Our batting in the most recent series was less than par against a very good England bowling attack. We believe that with the return of some experienced batters, they will the able to support captain Hayley Matthews at the top of the order," lead selector Ann Browne-John said of the squad.

"The team had commendable performances [during the four ODIs] in South Africa in early 2022, and we know that the entire team will be drawing on that experience as they take on the home team and India in this tri-Series and then potentially again at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup also in South Africa."

Meanwhile, Connell had been left out of the side for three ODIs against England after going wicketless in two of the ODIs and a T20I against New Zealand. Although as per Browne-John, Connell was "expected to be ready to be considered for selection later in the series" after missing out on the first two of the five T20Is against England, she didn't play any part in the remaining three matches either.

Selman too had been ruled out of those T20Is after suffering an injury during the ODIs that preceded.

West Indies' squad otherwise wears a largely-familiar look, backed by the experience of captain Hayley Matthews, Shemaine Campbelle and Chedean Nation, among the relatively newer faces like Cherry Ann Fraser.

The tri-series in South Africa begins on January 21, with two round-robin matches followed by the final on February 2. All games will be played at Buffalo Park in East London. The T20 World Cup then commences on February 10, with the final squads for the tournament to be submitted by February 2.

Squad: Hayley Matthews​ (capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Chedean Nation, Cherry Ann Fraser, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams