Natasha McLean, Sheneta Grimmond return to West Indies squad for New Zealand ODIs

Wicketkeeper-batter Natasha McLean and offspinner Sheneta Grimmond have returned to the West Indies Women's ODI side, having been picked in the 17-member provisional squad for the three ODIs against New Zealand from September 16 to 22 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The squad also included Under-19 uncapped left-arm quick Jannillea Glasgow.

Newly-appointed captain Hayley Matthews will lead the side for the first time. This will be West Indies' first series in any format since they lost the semi-final to eventual champions Australia in the ODI World Cup in March earlier this year.

West Indies will be without a few senior players this time, such as Anisa Mohammed, Deandra Dottin and Kycia Knight. While Anisa took a six-month break from cricket earlier this month, Dottin announced a sudden international retirement during the Commonwealth Games last month.

Performances in the inaugural Women's 6ixty and CPL were taken into consideration while picking the squad, a CWI release said. Grimmond took 2 for 22 for Trinbago Knight Riders in the victorious CPL final and claimed another four wickets in her 6.2 overs in the 6ixty. Glasgow also represented Trinbago Knight Riders in the two tournaments but she barely got chances to bat or bowl.

Grimmond last played for West Indies in Pakistan in November last year, whereas McLean's last international game was a T20I in September 2020, and her last ODI was in November 2019. McLean has the experience of 30 ODIs to her name and Grimmond has seven.

"The New Zealand series is very important on the women's cricket landscape not only because it starts a new cycle, but also because it is part of the preparation leading towards the T20 World Cup in South Africa," lead selector for women's cricket Ann Browne-John said. "With a few senior players unavailable at this time, for different reasons, like the experienced Anisa Mohammed, Kycia Knight and recently retired Deandra Dottin, the selectors were still able to get a blend of senior and developing players including Under-19 player Jannillea Glasgow and returning players Natasha McLean and Sheneta Grimmond. Ultimately, we believe that captain Hayley Matthews, in her first series, will have a promising squad of players to start building with."

Allrounder Mandy Mangru, 22, and left-arm spinner Kaysia Schultz have also joined the players in Antigua for a ten-day training camp led by head coach Courtney Walsh. Mangu and Glasgow were handed development contracts when CWI had announced the annual retainers in June.

CWI said a match-day squad of 13 players will be selected ahead of each ODI. The ODIs will be followed by five T20Is from September 25 to October 6, which will also be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

The ODIs will be part of the new Women's Championship cycle in which both West Indies and New Zealand are yet to play a game.

ODI squad Hayley Matthews (capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean (wk), Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams