West Indies Women sharpen T20 World Cup plans at Wales camp

Cricket West Indies says 16 West Indies Women players are in Newport, Wales, for a 10-day training camp running from May 14 to 23, as preparations continue for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England.

The programme forms part of the team’s build-up to the global tournament, which starts on June 5. It is intended to give the squad time to settle into United Kingdom conditions while sharpening technical work, match strategy, fitness and group cohesion.

After the Wales camp, the West Indies Women are scheduled to travel to Ireland for a tri-nation T20 series involving the hosts and Pakistan. CWI expects those matches to provide useful practice in conditions close to what the players are likely to meet at the World Cup.

The side enters the latest phase of preparation encouraged by its run to the semi-finals at the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. According to the team’s outlook, the past two years have brought added know-how, stronger depth and more maturity within the group.

CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe said the location of the camp and the Ireland fixtures are important to the wider plan. “The opportunity to train in the United Kingdom and then also get the experience of playing competitive matches in Ireland in similar conditions immediately before the start of the June 5 tournament is invaluable,” Bascombe said.

He added: “This period will be utilised to help the squad gel, cement game plans, and remain connected. We are looking forward to a great showing by several key veterans and the emergence of our future stars, on the back of this extended preparation.”

The Wales camp follows earlier white-ball assignments against Sri Lanka and Australia this year, which were also part of the West Indies Women’s preparation schedule. The Ireland tri-series will offer another chance to test execution and composure before World Cup play begins.

West Indies Women open the tri-series against Ireland on May 28 and close their group schedule against Pakistan on June 3. They will then return to England, where their first World Cup match is against New Zealand on June 13.

The players listed for the camp are Aaliyah Alleyne, Eboni Brathwaite, Shermaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Hayley Matthews, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack and Stafanie Taylor.