Deandra Dottin returns to West Indies squad for T20 World Cup

The talismanic allrounder has endured a torrid time with injuries and last played for her country in February 2019 against Pakistan

• Women's T20 World Cup 2020 squads: Full team lists

West Indies have announced their squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, with Deandra Dottin set to make her first international appearance for more than a year.

The talismanic allrounder has endured a torrid time with injuries and last played for her country in February 2019 against Pakistan.

She joins a 15-strong party led by Stafanie Taylor for the competition which kicks off in Australia in less than a month’s time.

There is also an unlikely recall for Lee Ann Kirby, who last played for the national side in 2008 but has been a consistent source of runs in domestic cricket.

Much will be expected of a team coached by Gus Logie, with Courtney Walsh as his assistant. On home soil in 2018, Taylor’s side reached the semi-final stage, edged out only by eventual winners Australia.

West Indies won the previous instalment, held in India, with Taylor and Hayley Matthews both making half centuries in a dominant final victory over Australia.

^{Stafanie Taylor will captain the team}

Ann Browne-John, who headed the selection panel, explained that the squad selected combined a mixture of youth and experience.

“We are also pleased to welcome back Deandra Dottin who made such a big impact on International cricket in the past few years until she was sidelined by injury,” Browne-John said.

“The two experienced fast bowlers Shamilia Connell and Shakera Selman who have also been on the injured list are now are back in the squad.”

Browne-John added: “Lee Ann Kirby returns to the team after an extended absence but she has shown herself to be a prolific scorer. In addition, the introduction of the young fast bowler Cherry-Ann Fraser is ideal for the Australian pitches which are generally fast with some bounce. The team has the experience and talent to excel at the World Cup.”

Squad: Stafanie Taylor (c), Anisa Mohammed (vc), Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Lee-Ann Kirby, Britney Cooper, Shemaine Campbelle, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Shamilia Connell, Shakera Selman, Sheneta Grimmond, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Aaliyah Alleyne