The excitement builds as England Women gear up to take on West Indies Women in the opening match of a three-match T20I series, followed by three ODIs. The first T20I is scheduled for May 21 at 11:00 PM IST, set to unfold at the iconic St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.
England embarks on a fresh journey under the leadership of Nat Sciver-Brunt and new head coach Charlotte Edwards. With the ODI World Cup and a challenging tour of India on the horizon, this series marks a crucial stepping stone in shaping their campaign. England’s last international outing was the Ashes in January–February 2025, where they suffered a heavy 16-0 defeat, prompting a major shake-up—Heather Knight stepped down as captain, and head coach John Lewis was replaced.
Meanwhile, West Indies are looking to start afresh after narrowly missing out on World Cup qualification. Eager for redemption, they’ll hope to reset and build momentum from this series. They featured in the World Cup Qualifier, playing five matches and winning three. Despite tying on six points with Bangladesh, their net run rate (0.626) fell just short of Bangladesh’s (0.639), resulting in their elimination.
The two sides have clashed 29 times in T20Is, with England leading the head-to-head 19–9. One match ended in a tie. However, West Indies can take confidence from their most recent win over England in the 2024 T20 World Cup in Dubai.
Squads
England Women’s Cricket Team: Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones (wk), Heather Knight, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
West Indies Women’s Cricket Team: Hayley Matthews (C), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Aaliyah Alleyne, Jahzara Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor
Players to Watch
Danni Wyatt-Hodge
A seasoned campaigner at 34, Wyatt brings immense experience with 170 T20Is to her name. She has amassed 3190 runs, including a top score of 124, and strikes at 128.99. With the ball, she’s chipped in with 46 wickets, boasting best figures of 4/11. Recently, she made her WPL debut with RCB in February 2025, scoring 137 runs in 6 matches, including a best of 57.
Sarah Glenn
A reliable figure in England’s bowling unit, Glenn has taken 89 wickets in 72 T20Is at an average of 16.11, with best figures of 4/12. The 25-year-old leg-spinner has been in fine touch, picking up 11 wickets from 6 games for The Blaze in the Women’s One Day Cup, underlining her form heading into the series.
Hayley Matthews
Leading from the front, the West Indies skipper is a genuine match-winner with both bat and ball. In 106 T20Is, she has scored 2651 runs and taken 108 wickets, including a highest score of 132 and best bowling figures of 4/10. Her stellar run in WPL 2025 with Mumbai Indians saw her finish with 307 runs and 18 wickets in just 10 matches.
Karishma Ramharack
The 30-year-old off-spinner continues to be a key figure in the Windies setup. With 33 wickets in 42 T20Is at an average of 25.03, she adds control and variety to the attack. In the recent ODI World Cup Qualifier, she was among the bright spots, claiming 6 wickets from 5 matches.
Pitch Report
The St Lawrence Ground is known for being batting-friendly, with an average innings score of 139. Spinners tend to play a significant role, and teams winning the toss usually opt to chase.
Weather Report
Expect partly rainy conditions with light showers likely. The temperature will be around 20°C, with humidity at 73% and precipitation at 40%. Winds are forecast to blow at 13 kph.
Fantasy XI Picks
Amy Jones, Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Stafanie Taylor, Heather Knight, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Qiana Joseph, Alice Capsey, Afy Fletcher, Charlie Dean, Lauren Bell
Match Details
Date: May 21, 2025
Time: 11:00 PM IST
Venue: St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
Live Streaming: Available on the Sony Liv app and broadcast on the Sony Ten Sports Network
