After announcing her retirement two years ago, Deandra Dottin is making a return to the West Indies squad for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE. Dottin, renowned for holding the record for the fastest century in women's T20Is, had unexpectedly retired while leading Barbados at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, citing a challenging environment within the West Indies team. However, she has since reversed her decision, with a focus on the World Cup.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced their 15-member squad on Thursday, which includes Dottin and newcomer Nerissa Crafton.
CWI President Kishore Shallow expressed enthusiasm about the team's composition: "We have a good blend of experience and youth. Some players are quite young, including Zaida James, who is still a teenager. We’re also thrilled to see Deandra Dottin return. There has been extensive communication with her over the past year, and I want to acknowledge Ann Browne-John's role in these discussions, even before she officially became a selector. Her efforts were crucial in convincing Deandra to come out of retirement."
Dottin’s recent performances are promising; she was the third-highest run-scorer in the WCPL 2024 league phase with 113 runs in four innings at an average of 28.25 and a strike rate of 111.88. Notably, she hit more than two sixes in the season and played a key role in the final. Her 53 off 38 balls against the Guyana Amazon Warriors contributed to a Super Over finish, where her unbeaten 13 off four balls secured a victory for the Trinbago Knight Riders.
When Dottin retired in August 2022 at the age of 31, she had accumulated 2,697 runs and 62 wickets across 127 T20Is and 143 ODIs. Her record for the fastest T20I century, achieved in the 2010 T20 World Cup, was reached off just 38 balls, a record at the time for both men’s and women’s cricket. She scored 112 off 45 balls against South Africa in St. Kitts.
West Indies Squad for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup: Hayley Matthews (captain), Shermaine Campbelle, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Ashmini Munisar, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton, Qiana Joseph, Shamila Connell, Stafanie Taylor, Zaida James