Deandra Dottin Ruled Out As West Indies Announces Squad For ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025

The West Indies women’s cricket team has suffered a significant blow ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025, as star all-rounder Deandra Dottin has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The explosive batter sustained the injury while playing in the recently concluded Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 in India and has not recovered in time for the all-important qualification tournament.

Scheduled to be held in Pakistan from April 9 to April 19, the qualifier will determine the final two teams that will secure a spot in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, set to take place in India. Dottin’s absence from the squad is a massive setback for the Caribbean side, as she is one of the most dangerous batters in women’s cricket and a key match-winner for the team.

A Major Blow for the West Indies: Dottin’s Absence Leaves a Void

Deandra Dottin’s exclusion from the squad significantly weakens West Indies’ batting and all-round depth. The 33-year-old cricketer has been a pivotal player for the Windies in major international tournaments. During the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Dottin was the leading run-scorer for her side, accumulating 120 runs in five matches at an impressive average of 40.00.

Known for her powerful stroke play, ability to accelerate the scoring rate, and her knack for delivering breakthroughs with the ball, Dottin has played a crucial role in West Indies’ success over the years. Her experience on the field and ability to handle pressure situations will be sorely missed in a high-stakes tournament like the World Cup Qualifier.

Despite this setback, West Indies have announced a strong 15-member squad, led by their dynamic all-rounder Hayley Matthews, who is currently among the top-ranked players in the ICC Women’s ODI rankings.

West Indies Announce a Formidable Squad

Although missing Dottin’s explosive presence, the West Indies team remains formidable. The squad selected for the World Cup Qualifier largely retains the core of the team that recently played against Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.

Of the 15 players named in the squad, 12 players have been retained from that series, with three changes:

IN: Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Rashada Williams
OUT: Deandra Dottin (injured), Nerissa Crafton, Djenaba Joseph

West Indies will rely on their senior players, especially Hayley Matthews, Shemaine Campbelle, Afy Fletcher, and Stafanie Taylor, to guide the team through this crucial qualification tournament.

Key Players to Watch in the West Indies Squad

1. Hayley Matthews (Captain – All-rounder)

As the leader of the side, Matthews will have a significant role to play both with the bat and the ball. The star all-rounder is known for her ability to score quick runs at the top of the order and for being a reliable off-spinner. She has been in excellent form over the past year, and her leadership will be crucial in ensuring West Indies stay competitive in the qualifiers.

2. Afy Fletcher (Leg-spinner – Leading Wicket-Taker in T20 World Cup 2024)

West Indies will depend heavily on their bowling unit, and Afy Fletcher is expected to lead the attack. She was among the standout performers during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, picking up 10 wickets in five matches. Alongside Karishma Ramharack, she will be the key weapon in West Indies’ spin department.

3. Stafanie Taylor (Veteran All-rounder – Ex-Captain)

After missing the Bangladesh series, Stafanie Taylor returns to the squad, bringing with her a wealth of experience. The former captain is one of West Indies’ most accomplished cricketers and has been a match-winner on several occasions. Her presence will add much-needed stability to the middle order, and her off-spin could also prove valuable in the Pakistani conditions.

4. Shemaine Campbelle (Vice-Captain – Wicketkeeper-Batter)

Campbelle’s role as vice-captain and primary wicketkeeper will be crucial for West Indies. She has been a consistent performer with the bat, often anchoring the innings in critical situations. With the team missing Dottin’s firepower, Campbelle’s contributions will be even more vital.

West Indies’ Path to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025 will feature six teams competing for the last two spots in the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The teams participating in the qualifier are:

West Indies
Bangladesh
Ireland
Scotland
Thailand
Pakistan

The tournament will be played in a round-robin format, where each team will face the other once. The top two teams at the end of the group stage will qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, joining the already qualified teams.

Teams Already Qualified for the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

The top five teams from the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 standings have automatically qualified, along with host nation India. The teams that have secured direct qualification are:

Australia (Defending Champions)
England
South Africa
Sri Lanka
New Zealand
India (Hosts)

West Indies finished eighth in the ICC Women’s Championship standings, meaning they narrowly missed out on direct qualification. This makes the upcoming qualifier a make-or-break opportunity for them.

Captain Hayley Matthews Confident Ahead of the Tournament

Despite the setback of losing Deandra Dottin, captain Hayley Matthews remains optimistic about the team’s chances in the upcoming qualifiers. Speaking about their preparations and squad chemistry, she expressed confidence in the team’s ability to perform under pressure.

“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. 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.”

Matthews’ leadership, coupled with the experience of players like Taylor, Campbelle, and Fletcher, will be critical if West Indies want to secure one of the two remaining spots for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

West Indies’ Squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025

Hayley Matthews (Captain, All-rounder)
Shemaine Campbelle (Vice-Captain, Wicketkeeper-Batter)
Aaliyah Alleyne (Batter)
Afy Fletcher (Leg-spinner)
Cherry Ann Fraser (All-rounder)
Shabika Gajnabi (All-rounder)
Jannillea Glasgow (Pacer)
Chinelle Henry (All-rounder)
Zaida James (Batter)
Qiana Joseph (All-rounder)
Mandy Mangru (Batter)
Ashmini Munisar (Spinner)
Karishma Ramharack (Off-spinner)
Stafanie Taylor (All-rounder)
Rashada Williams (Wicketkeeper-Batter)

Can West Indies Overcome the Setback?

Losing Deandra Dottin is undoubtedly a major blow for the West Indies women’s team, but with a strong squad and experienced leadership, they still have a fighting chance to qualify for the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The pressure will be on the likes of Matthews, Taylor, Fletcher, and Campbelle to step up and deliver match-winning performances.

With just two World Cup spots up for grabs, the West Indies must be at their best to secure qualification and keep their dreams of competing in India alive.

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