Windies announce women's squad for subcontinent tour

West Indies have announced a 14-member women's squad to tour Pakistan and Sri Lanka in October and November. Nadine George, the 39-year-old left-hand batsman, will continue to lead the side, while seam bowler Kirbyina Alexander will be her deputy.

Allrounders Phernel Charles, Shanel Daley and Erva Giddings are the three newcomers in the squad. The trio impressed during the domestic women's tournament played in St Lucia in August.

The team will tour Pakistan from October 14 to 31, playing five ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals, before heading to Sri Lanka for five one-dayers. All but one match - in Hyderabad - of the Pakistan leg are scheduled in Karachi, while Colombo and Dambulla will be the venues in Sri Lanka.

"There is no doubt the talent is there and this is a unit that will get better," Clyde Butt, the chairman of selectors, said. "We have some very young players with good cricketing skills and I believe that we can challenge the rest of the world."

The tour is West Indies' first international assignment following their tour of England, Netherlands and Ireland this summer, and is seen as a key part of their preparation for the World Cup in Australia in March 2009.

Squad: Nadine George (capt), Stefanie Taylor, Charlene Taitt, Deandra Dottin, Shanel Daley, Kirbyina Alexander, Danielle Small, Juliana Nero, Stacy Ann King, Phernel Charles, Anisa Mohammed, Erva Giddings, Merissa Aguilleira, Afy Fletcher.