Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s Selection Panel has named what they described as an exciting 15-member West Indies Women’s squad that will contest the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, to be played in New Zealand from March 4 to April 3.

To be led by Captain Stafanie Taylor, the squad will include off-spinner Anisa Mohammed as vice-captain, who will be playing in her fifth Cricket World Cup.

It will also include several ‘exciting young players’ who will be competing at the marquee event for the first time in the form of spinner Karishma Ramharack, fast bowler Aaliyah Alleyne, seamer Cherry Ann Fraser, all-rounder Chinelle Henry and opening batter Rashada Williams.

The 15-member squad will be joined by three traveling reserves, Kaysia Schultz, Mandy Mangru and Jannillea Glasgow as per the ICC’s medical protocols for the tournament.

“The squad selected shows a blend of youth and experience. We have Anisa Mohammed who’s playing in her fifth World Cup and will help guide the younger ones selected. We have five players who have had their maiden Cricket World Cup selection,” said CWI’s Lead Selector for Women’s cricket Ann Browne-John.

“The team just completed a series against South Africa where the players got good preparation before the tournament. There were some relatively good showings with a few players having outstanding performances and it is expected that they would raise their levels even further during the competition. Afy Fletcher’s return strengthens the bowling department as she continues to be a world class leg-spinner.”

The eight-team tournament will start with a group stage round, where all teams play each other once before the top four sides compete in the semi-finals and finals.

The West Indies Women will open their title chase against host country New Zealand on March 4 at Bay Oval in Tauranga. Their seventh and final match of the group stage is against South Africa on March 24 at Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Semi-final one will be played on March 30 at Basin Reserve in Wellington with semi-final two on March 31 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The final will be played on April 3 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The full squad: Stafanie Taylor (Captain), Anisa Mohammed (Vice Captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman and Rashada Williams.

The travelling reserve players are Kaysia Schultz, Mandy Mangru and Jannillea Glasgow.