THE inaugural Under 19 Women’s World Cup is just around the corner, with 16 countries set to battle it out in South Africa this month for the chance to be crowned the inaugural champion.

Ahead of the tournament, we here at Rookie Me Central will be previewing all the countries competing at the tournament, looking at their squads, their fixtures and how things might go for them.

In this preview, we take a look at the West Indies.

The West Indies have not really been a powerhouse at senior women’s level for a while, so they will be keen to change the narrative at Under 19 level at this World Cup. They are in Group C for this World Cup, which pits them against New Zealand, Ireland and Indonesia.

It may not be the easiest of groups for the West Indians, there is a path forward for them in this tournament. Just finish above the Indonesians (which they should do) and they progress to the Super 6s stage. Progressing beyond that may be a struggle, but sport can be a funny game sometimes and you do not know the final result until the last ball is bowled.

Spinner Ashmini Munisar will lead the side in South Africa, with a squad of 14 others named to join her in this inaugural tournament.

The rest of the squad includes the likes of Djenaba Joseph who played at the senior level in the recent series against England, and fellow batters Shunelle Sawh and Trishan Hodder as well as spinner Shalini Samaroo who all performed well in recent series the Under 19 side has played.

Speaking of those recent series, they recently went on a tour of the USA and played a tri series in India against both the Indians and New Zealand, so they already have some intel on the Kiwis ahead of their clash in a fortnight’s time.

West Indies Squad  

Ashmini Munisar (C), Asabi Callendar, Jahzara Claxton, Naijanni Cumberbatch, Earnisha Fontaine, Jannillea Glasgow, Realanna Grimmond, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, K D Jazz Mitchell, Shalini Samaroo, Shunelle Sawh, Lena Scott, Abini St Jean

West Indies Fixture

January 15 – Ireland

January 17 – Indonesia

January 19 – New Zealand