The Proteas Women's cricket team is facing off against the West Indies Women in the opening One Day International (ODI) of a three-match series in Barbados. The West Indies Women won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Three Ws Oval at Cave Hill. Following the ODI series, the teams will also compete in a three-match T20 International (T20I) series.
Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt acknowledged the threat posed by the West Indies Women, highlighting their potential to quickly shift the momentum of a game. "They're a team that can easily take the game away from you with how much power they have. We're still going to do our due diligence with our planning and make sure that we're on top of our game," Wolvaardt said before the match.
A significant boost for the Proteas is the return of star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who had been resting.
Teams:
- Proteas Women: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Nondumiso Shangase, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayanda Hlubi, Ayabonga Khaka
- West Indies Women: Hayley Matthews, Qiana Joseph, Realeanna Grimmond, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Shemaine Campbelle, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
The West Indies Women are looking to rebound after a tough tour of England, where they were unable to secure a win. CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back on home soil. The squad sees the return of Chinelle Henry for Cherry-Ann Fraser.
South Africa enters the series ranked higher than the West Indies in both ODI and T20I formats. The Proteas are ranked 5th in both, while the Windies are 9th in ODIs and 5th in T20Is.