The West Indies Women’s cricket team is gearing up for a spirited return to international action, as Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced a 15-player squad for their upcoming white-ball tour of England from May 21 to June 8, 2025. With three T20Is and three ODIs on the schedule, this tour is a fresh opportunity for the Caribbean side to reset their rhythm after narrowly missing out on a World Cup berth last month in Pakistan.
Leading the charge once again is the dynamic Hayley Matthews, with Shemaine Campbelle serving as her deputy. The squad boasts a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising prospects eager to prove their mettle on English soil. Among the most notable selections are two fresh faces—Realeanna Grimmond, a 20-year-old Guyanese all-rounder, and 19-year-old Kittitian pacer Jahzara Claxton—both of whom could earn their maiden international caps on this tour.
The inclusion of Grimmond and Claxton comes at the expense of Jamaicans Chinelle Henry and Rashada Williams. Henry, who impressed at the ICC World Cup Qualifier in Pakistan as West Indies’ second-highest run-scorer with 171 runs at a striking rate of 150.00, will miss the England series due to a leg injury sustained during the T20 Blaze final. Williams, meanwhile, saw limited game time in Pakistan and was overlooked for the final touring party.
Speaking about the timing of the domestic season and the direction of the women’s program, CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe said, “The ongoing T20 Blaze competition has come at an opportune time, giving many of our senior and emerging players the chance to stay match-ready and sharpen their skills in a competitive environment. We remain committed to strengthening our women’s programme and believe this tour is a vital step forward in our collective journey.”
Grimmond’s selection follows a string of impressive performances in the T20 Blaze, where she finished among the top run-scorers and played a pivotal role in Guyana’s dramatic Super Over victory in the final. Claxton, who featured in the inaugural Women’s Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, continues her rise through the ranks and offers a promising pace option for the Caribbean outfit.
The tour will begin with the T20Is—starting May 21 in Canterbury, followed by matches in Hove and Chelmsford. The ODI leg kicks off in Derby on May 30 and moves to Leicester and Taunton for the remaining matches. The squad departs for England on May 13.
Head Coach Shane Deitz, who has overseen the team’s transitional phase, highlighted the magnitude of the challenge ahead and the value of competing against elite opposition, “Going to England is a fantastic opportunity to play one of the best teams in the world for a long time and to really test our skills and put in practice what we’ve talked about off the pitch.”
He further reflected on the team’s recent hard work and preparations, “The girls have been working hard since the Pakistan qualification and playing some cricket at the T20 Blaze in the Caribbean. It’s now time to switch up to international cricket, put on a good display and give our supporters something to cheer about back in the Caribbean.”
Notably, Deandra Dottin will also sit out this tour after her recurring knee injury flared up during the WPL in March. Her absence, combined with Henry’s injury, makes room for the next generation to rise, especially with West Indies missing the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in India.
West Indies Women squad for England tour 2025:
Hayley Matthews (C), Shemaine Campbelle (VC), 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
West Indies Women’s Tour of England 2025 – Schedule
T20I Series
1st T20I
Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2025
Venue: The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury
2nd T20I
Date: Friday, 23 May 2025
Venue: The 1st Central County Ground, Hove
3rd T20I
Date: Monday, 26 May 2025
Venue: Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
ODI Series
1st ODI
Date: Friday, 30 May 2025
Venue: County Ground, Derby
2nd ODI
Date: Wednesday, 4 June 2025
Venue: Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester
3rd ODI
Date: Saturday, 7 June 2025
Venue: The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
