West Indies eye fast start to U19 T20 World Cup
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.
Schedule:
January 15 v Ireland, North-West University Oval, Potchefstroom
January 17 v Indonesia, North-West University Oval, Potchefstroom
January 19 v New Zealand, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
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Key player - Djenaba Joseph
The right-hand batter has risen rapidly from making a senior debut for Trinidad and Tobago in June 2022 to being called into the senior West Indies squad just six months later.
Joseph played four T20Is in the recent senior series against England, initially appearing in the middle order but having more success batting at first drop.
The teenager showed maturity and composure beyond her years as the only West Indies batter to reach double-figures in the fifth and final T20I in the series, holding out for 43 minutes as six teammates lost their wicket.
Joseph has shown plenty of promise at junior level, including with a quick-fire 48 off 33 balls against New Zealand in the West Indies' more recent T20.
As a clever medium pace bowler, the West Indies will also turn to Joseph for a brief spell in the middle overs.
Expectations:
The West Indies will target wins against Indonesia and Ireland to ensure they progress from the group stage, while hoping to be more competitive against New Zealand than in two losses to them in November.
But after only tasting victory once in their past 10 T20s - with recent losses also coming against Sri Lanka, India and the USA - any success beyond the group stage could be considered a bonus.