Shakira Selman

Over in Australia, West Indies Women’s captain and star all-rounder, Stafanie Taylor, will also be featuring in franchise cricket as she lines up for Adelaide Strikers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Another outstanding West Indies player, Hayley Matthews, will also be competing in the tournament and is once again playing for the Hobart Hurricanes.

Dottin, one of the most exciting all-rounders in the women’s game, announced her return to international cricket with an impressive series batting performance against England Women last month, where she scored two half-centuries in the five-match series. For this event she will be part of Team Trailblazers alongside Indian stalwarts Jhulan Goswami and Smriti Madhana; as well as Sophie Ecclestone of England.

Dottin expressed her eagerness to participate.

“It’s an exciting time for me to be selected for the Women’s IPL Challenge. Having played at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year and more recently the series against England Women, I am now back into the groove of T20 cricket. I am looking forward to teaming up with some of the superstars in women’s cricket. I have good memories of playing in Dubai and I’m hoping that my recent return to form will continue throughout this tournament,” the 29-year-old said.

Selman, one of the top performing West Indian fast bowlers of all-time, will be back for her second stint in the Women’s IPL Challenge and will be playing for defending champions Supernovas. The team is led by Harmanpreet Kaur, and also includes Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues and Chamari Atapattu of Sri Lanka. The other team to participate in the tournament is Team Velocity, led by Mithali Raj..

“I’m looking forward to my second stint in the Women’s IPL Challenge. Last year we just missed out on being in the final but this time I’m with the defending champions, the Supernovas and I hope I can contribute to their defense of the trophy,” said Selman.

“To line up with the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues and Chamari Atapattu, I know we’re going to bring the heat to this tournament. I’m looking forward to competing against Deandra and I know she’s not going to hold back her destructive batting and bowling.”

Meanwhile, CWI’s Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams believes the chance to play in the league is a tremendous opportunity for the Caribbean women.

CWI is extremely proud to have four of our international women’s players featuring across both the WBBL in Australia and the Women’s IPL Challenge in Dubai. The four players have all been rewarded for their performances at the highest level and we wish them all the success possible with their franchise teams,” he said.

“This opportunity for some of our players to play at the franchise level is welcomed on the back of limited opportunities this year due to the prevailing pandemic. Their involvement will no doubt also serve to inspire our young women in the Caribbean both inside and outside the game of cricket.”

The opening fixtures for Strikers and Hurricanes in WBBL|06 on October 25, will be against each other. This is the sixth edition of the tournament and Taylor and Matthews have participated every year since inception, with Taylor winning the title with Sydney Thunder in 2015-2016.

Selman is part of the LIVE television broadcast for 13 matches at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. The other analysts are legendary fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose, former West Indies opening batsman and Trinidad & Tobago captain, Daren Ganga and 2012 and 2016 ICC T20 World Cup winner Samuel Badree.

There will also be special guest appearances by legend Courtney Walsh, the new Head Coach of the West Indies Women’s team and CWI’s Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams, the former West Indies captain.

Connell will feature within the LIVE radio commentary broadcast to 10 Caribbean radio stations and worldwide on the WindiesCricket YouTube channel as CWI President Ricky Skerritt explains that the inclusion of the two female analysts is all about opening doors.

 “It is now a policy of Cricket West Indies to provide as much opportunity for West Indians to grow their careers into the wider cricket industry, including the broadcast media,” Skerritt said.

“We are especially pleased that two of our senior West Indies Women’s team players are getting this exciting opportunity to develop their commentary skills and experience. Under the same policy, CWI has been actively developing hundreds of local coaches across our region, including dozens of women, and this is the first opportunity we have had to build broadcast experience for our Women’s team players.

“With our new TV production presentation, CWI is delivering a modern, vibrant and diverse mix of experienced and insightful presenters and analysts to deliver a more appealing and engaging viewing experience.”

Selman, a 2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winner, who late last year played a key role in the Women’s IPL Challenge tournament in the United Arab Emirates, said she plans to make the most of the chance to show her analytical skills.

 “I’m embracing this opportunity that has been afforded to me to be part of the commentary team for the 2021 CG Insurance Super50 Cup. I’m really grateful for the chance to join the commentary panel for this wonderful cricket event in the West Indies,” she said.

 “It means a lot to be working alongside these amazing past cricketers, especially a legend of the game such as Sir Curtly Ambrose. I’m just hoping to continue to inspire young girls across the Caribbean to play the game and also to do well in the commentary role.”

Connell, who was also a 2016 ICC Women's T20 World Cup winner shared similar sentiments.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to be part of the commentary team and I’m really looking forward to it. Cricket is my passion and I enjoy everything about the game. I’m happy to share my thoughts and ideas with the listeners and fans."

The CG Insurance Super50 Cup is being played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The tournament started on Sunday, February 7 and will climax with the grand final on Saturday, February 27.