Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe and West Indies have named their squads for a historic six-match women’s white-ball series that begins in Harare on Thursday, with the hosts set to face the Caribbean side in their first bilateral series across the two formats.
The tour features three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), which form part of the ICC Women’s Championship, followed by three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The ODIs will be played at Harare Sports Club on September 24, 27 and 30, while the T20I matches are scheduled for Takashinga Cricket Club on October 3, 5 and 7.
Zimbabwe have selected a 16-member squad led by captain Josephine Nkomo, with most of the players who featured in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against South Africa retained.
Experienced campaigners Nomvelo Sibanda, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa and Sharne Mayers are among those included as the Lady Chevrons prepare for another demanding assignment.
Wicketkeeper-batter Chiedza Dhururu and 19-year-old leg-spinner Olinder Chare have been recalled to the squad, replacing Lorraine Pemhiwa and Lindokuhle Mabhera. Loreen Tshuma misses out because of injury.
Kudzai Chigora has been selected for the ODI matches only, while Francisca Chipare will be available exclusively for the T20I series.
The Zimbabwe squad comprises Nkomo, Beloved Biza, Dhururu, Mugeri-Tiripano, Christina Mutasa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Loryn Phiri, Michelle Mavunga, Mupachikwa, Sibanda, Nyasha Gwanzura, Chare, Mayers, Tendai Makusha, Chigora and Chipare.
West Indies, meanwhile, have retained the core of the team that toured Ireland and competed at the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Captain Hayley Matthews will lead the visitors during the ODI leg but will leave the squad before the T20Is after being granted personal leave.
Veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin will also miss the Zimbabwe tour after being granted personal leave.
Eboni Brathwaite has been brought into the squad as Dottin’s replacement, while all-rounder Chinelle Henry returns after recovering from the injury that affected her participation at the T20 World Cup. Qiana Joseph has not been selected following a drop in form.
The West Indies squad will consist of 15 players for the ODIs and 14 for the T20Is following Matthews’ departure.
The touring squad is Matthews, Aaliyah Alleyne, Eboni Brathwaite, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack and Stafanie Taylor.
West Indies coach Shane Deitz said the tour would provide opportunities for younger members of the squad, while acknowledging the challenge of playing in unfamiliar conditions.
“We are looking forward to this tour of Zimbabwe,” Deitz said, adding that the hosts were a team West Indies had not played frequently and that the conditions would present challenges.
The opening ODI is scheduled for Thursday at Harare Sports Club, with the match starting at 9.30am.
The teams will return to the same venue for the second ODI on September 27 before completing the 50-over leg on September 30.
The T20I series will then move to Takashinga Cricket Club, with matches scheduled for October 3, 5 and 7.
