West Indies have replaced top-order batter Ebony Brathwaite with offspinner Ashmini Munisar in an otherwise expected squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins on June 12 in England. That is the only change from West Indies’ 15-member squad, which went down 3-0 in a T20I series to Australia at home in late March.

This same squad is also facing Ireland and Pakistan in a tri-nation T20I series, which got underway on May 28 and will continue till June 3 in Ireland, acting as a precursor to the T20 World Cup.

Hayley Matthews will lead West Indies for the third straight time in a T20 World Cup, with allrounder Chinelle Henry named her deputy. Apart from these two, West Indies also boast the experience of Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor in the middle order. Zaida James will lead the fast bowling attack alongside Henry, while Matthews, Karishma Ramharack and Afy Fletcher will form the spin-bowling unit.

Part of Group 2, West Indies, the 2016 T20 World Cup champions, will start their T20 World Cup campaign against defending champions New Zealand on June 13 in Southampton. They then head to Leeds to face Scotland before facing Sri Lanka, England and Ireland.

“We know that in these conditions, strong powerplay batting and sustained scoring through the middle overs will be critical to winning games,” head coach Shane Deitz said. “Our analysis showed that when we score positively in the powerplay, particularly getting beyond that 45-run mark, we give ourselves a much stronger opportunity to control matches. Alternatively with the ball, we need to restrict boundaries in the power play and throughout the innings.”

“We’ve therefore selected a group with flexibility at the top of the order, players who can handle both pace and spin effectively, and importantly, batters capable of maintaining intent regardless of wickets lost, along with ensuring depth in the batting so we can continue attacking deep into the innings. We also wanted bowlers who can attack when necessary but also quickly shift into defensive modes and execute under pressure at every stage of the innings.”

West Indies have won 14 and lost 21 T20Is in the last 12 months and will have their task cut out, particularly against the likes of England and New Zealand.

West Indies squad for T20 World Cup and T20I tr-series in Ireland

Hayley Matthews (capt), Chinelle Henry (vice-capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Shawnisha Hector, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor