Deandra Dottin ruled out as West Indies announce squad for ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025

Veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin has been ruled out of the West Indies' 15-woman squad for the impending ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025. The multi-nation event will be held in Pakistan from April 9 to 19.

The ICC's official website confirmed Dottin's unavailability for the competition. She injured herself during the recently-concluded Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 tournament in India. As per ICC, the experienced campaigner has failed to recover in time for the six-team tournament in Pakistan.

Dottin's absence is a body blow for the Caribbean side given the 33-year-old was the West Indies' top run-getter during the Women's T20 World Cup last year. In five matches, she amassed 120 runs at an average of 40.

Meanwhile, in-form all-rounder Hayley Matthews will continue her reign as the West Indies captain. She is ranked among the top 10 players across all three categories in the ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings. Matthews helped Mumbai Indians win WPL 2025 for the second time. She finished as the third-highest run-getter and joint-highest wicket-taker in the five-team tournament.

Twelve players from the squad which beat Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series at home in January as a part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25 have been retained. Apart from Dottin, Nerissa Crafton, and Djenaba Joseph have been left out. The troika has been replaced by Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, and Rashada Williams.

Matthews believes the players are well-prepared for the forthcoming challenge. She is confident of a strong showing from the side at the event.

"As we head into the World Cup Qualifiers, we know we have prepared well for this moment. The team environment feels like a family, and we have all been enjoying ourselves out in the park," Matthews said as quoted by ICC.

"We trust our skills and each other and are staying focused on playing our best cricket without any distractions. Winning this is a big goal for us as a team, and we're confident in our chances to perform at a high level," she added.

West Indies squad: Hayley Matthews (C), Shemaine Campbelle, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams