West Indies women announce squad for T20 World Cup, Deandra Dottin returns after two years

After an unexpected retirement, West Indies women's legendary player Deandra Dottin made her comeback into the side after two years for the upcoming women's T20 World Cup. Notably, the tournament was recently shifted to the UAE. The fastest century maker in women's T20I history, Dottin, had bowed out while captaining Barbados during the Commonwealth Games held in 2022 due to some team's environment not being on the healthier side.

However, last month, she took a U-turn and came out of retirement in a bid to achieve the World Cup glory. In the same vein, Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday, August 29, announced their 15-member squad for the ICC (International Cricket Council) marquee event. Apart from the legendary Dottin, Nerissa Crafton, who is an uncapped player was also included in the team.

"We have a nice mix of experience and youth. We have some players bordering [on] 19; I think Zaida is still probably a teenager and one or two of the young players there. So, really happy with the mix. Also, I think, we all as West Indians are excited to see Deandra Dottin back," said Kishore Shallow, the CWI president, post the announcement of the squad.

"It has been a year of communication - back and forth - with Deandra, and I particularly want to recognise the involvement of Ann Browne-John who has led those conversations over the last year, even when she wasn't officially the selector. She was integral in Deandra coming out of retirement," he added.

Also Read: Deandra Dottin reverses international retirement ahead of Women's T20 World Cup 2024

Deandra Dottin has been in fine form in WCPL 2024

Speaking of Deandra Dottin's form, she finished as the third-highest run-getter for her side in the league phase of the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). Moreover, she was the only batter to have hit more than two sixes in the tournament. During her four appearances, Dottin scored 113 runs at a decent strike rate of 111.88 while averaging 28.35. Besides, her quickfire fifty (53 off 38 balls) against Guyana Amazon Warriors pushed the game into a Super-Over drama finish. Furthermore, during the Super Over, she smacked 13 runs off just four deliveries to lead her side Trinbago Knight Riders to victory.

Also Read: Women’s T20 World Cup to expand to 16 teams in 2030