West Indies dropped their initial plan to play a Test match against Australia Women’s later this month. This decision was made by the Cricket West Indies as their plan to focus entirely on the upcoming Women’s T20I World Cup, which is scheduled to be played later this year.
According to the initial plans, the West Indies Women’s vs Australia Women’s bilateral was around all three formats, including a Test match. The Test match would mark the West Indies women’s first since 2004, and their second only since 1979. As the only Test match is no longer in the plan, the series will comprise three T20Is and three ODIs. St Vincent is fixed for three T20Is, and the three ODIs will be arranged in St Kitts.
West Indies Women’s vs Australia Women’s Full Schedule:
Three T20Is:
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WI-W vs AUS-W 1st T20I: March 19, St Vincent
WI-W vs AUS-W 2nd T20I: March 21, St Vincent
WI-W vs AUS-W 3rd T20I: Match 23, St Vincent
Three ODIs:
WI-W vs AUS-W 1st ODI: March 27, St Kitts
WI-W vs AUS-W 2nd ODI: Match 29, St Kitts
WI-W vs AUS-W 3rd ODI: April 2, St Kitts
Caribbean cricket board explained why they left the Test match
The recent developments and changes to plans were finalised in light of the concerns from both parties. The Caribbean cricket board confirmed that they will honor their progress in Test cricket as well. But because of the upcoming T20 World Cup, they considered dropping the only Test match of the series. If their future plans remain untouched, then their Women’s cricket team will play a red-ball series against England next year.
“Our planning this year prioritises maximizing white-ball readiness ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. This series forms a central part of that preparation, allowing us to concentrate resources and build combinations”, Miles Bascombe, Cricket West Indies’ director of cricket said.
“We remain committed to the long-term growth of women’s Test cricket, and discussions are already underway for a future red-ball opportunity, including a highly anticipated series against England in 2027”, he added.
Cricket Australia also came up with a clarification
From the Cricket Australia side, head of scheduling and operations, Peter Roach, claimed that both of the boards tried hard to retain the Test match. But the current circumstances did not allow it to fit a red ball game in the series.
“However, it was also important that this series be played in more than one venue ensuring the best possible facilities and varying conditions. We’re grateful Cricket West Indies has worked within their constraints to make this happen”, Roach mentioned.
The series will mark a new era of Australian cricket. They are all set to play the white-ball matches against the West Indies under their newly appointed captain Sophie Molineux. It will Australia Women’s cricket team’s first major assignment after the retirement of legendary cricketer Alyssa Healy. Though, a back Injury of Molineux makes him uncertain for the tour. She has been ruled out of the remainder of the India multi-format series with a back injury.
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