Grimmond last played for West Indies in Pakistan in November last year, whereas McLean’s last international game was a T20I in September 2020, and her last ODI was in November 2019. McLean has the experience of 30 ODIs to her name and Grimmond has seven.
“The New Zealand series is very important on the women’s cricket landscape not only because it starts a new cycle, but also because it is part of the preparation leading towards the T20 World Cup in South Africa,” lead selector for women’s cricket Ann Browne-John said. “With a few senior players unavailable at this time, for different reasons, like the experienced Anisa Mohammed, Kycia Knight and recently retired Deandra Dottin, the selectors were still able to get a blend of senior and developing players including Under-19 player Jannillea Glasgow and returning players Natasha McLean and Sheneta Grimmond. Ultimately, we believe that captain Hayley Matthews, in her first series, will have a promising squad of players to start building with.”
CWI said a match-day squad of 13 players will be selected ahead of each ODI. The ODIs will be followed by five T20Is from September 25 to October 6, which will also be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The ODIs will be part of the new Women’s Championship cycle in which both West Indies and New Zealand are yet to play a game.
ODI squad Hayley Matthews (capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean (wk), Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams