ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Head coach Courtney Walsh will oversee her first assignment since taking charge of the West Indies Women four months ago, when the Caribbean side convenes here for a three-week starting this weekend.
A 24-member group, led by captain Stafanie Taylor, will receive training at Coolidge Cricket Ground, and will also be tested four times in accordance with the protocols established during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Each player was tested twice before they arrived here.
Walsh, who took over last October, said he was looking forward to the sessions, also the first for the team since their Twenty20 International four from England last September.
“It’s really nice that the camp can take place during this challenging period of COVID-19, as the players are excited about getting down to work,” said the legendary former West Indies fast bowler.
“We have a good mix of youth and experience coming into the camp and I’m particularly looking forward to working with some of the younger talents we’ve come across.”
The training group includes the core of the current international side with Taylor along with the likes of Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Shemaine Campbelle and Shakera Selman.
However, the selectors have included an uncapped Vincentian duo Japhina Joseph and Trinidadian Steffi Soogrim, with Quiana Joseph returning to the mix four years after playing only her two One-Day Internationals.
Players will benefit from a coaching staff that includes former West Indies players Robert Samuels and Corey Collymore, former Barbados spinner Ryan Austin, former Leeward Islands player Steve Liburd and Level Three coach Samantha Lynch.
High Performance manager Graeme West will have oversight for the camp.
Walsh said he believes the combination in the coaching staff has increased well for player development.
“We have Samantha Lynch joining us and she did her Level Three coaching certification training at the same time as me, so I know her very well,” said Walsh.
“This camp will be a good experience for her, and I expect her to quickly become an asset to the team.
“We also have Steve Liburd who went to England with the team last September, to help with the pitch, and Ryan Austin to focus on our spinners.
“I think we have a good mix of players and coaches and I’m looking forward to a great camp.”
The camp is starting to prepare for the July World Cup qualifying matches in Sri Lanka.
SQUAD – Stafanie Taylor, Aaliyah Alleyne, Reniece Boyce, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Jysina Joseph. Marchog, Hayley Matthews, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman, Steffi Soogrim.