Stafanie Taylor out of T20Is against South Africa; Anisa Mohammed named interim West Indies captain

West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series against South Africa after being identified as a primary contact of a Covid-19 case in Jamaica, which requires her to serve a period of isolation. Offspinner Anisa Mohammed has been named interim captain in Taylor's absence for the series which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Antigua.

Left-arm seamer Qiana Joseph, who has represented West Indies in two ODIs in 2017, has earned a T20I call-up to the 13-member squad named for the first T20I. The 20-year-old was handed a central contract for the 2021-22 season and recently played for the West Indies A side against Pakistan A.

Seamer Shabika Gajnabi, who was part of the ODI squad against Pakistan, has returned to the T20I side. The 21-year-old has represented West Indies in seven T20Is and last played against England in 2020.

Meanwhile, offspinner Karishma Ramharack, who was part of the recent T20I squads against Pakistan and England, has been left out. Ramharack was not among the 17 contracted players and last played a T20I in September last year, against England.

"It is unfortunate that Stafanie will not be available for this series but there are a number of experienced players who we would be looking to, to fill any void," Ann Browne-John, lead selector, said. "The young player Qiana Joseph brings another left-hand batter option as well as left-arm orthodox bowling which has been lacking in the team. This will be a good test coming out of the recent Pakistan series, since South Africa is one of the higher-ranked teams."

West Indies won both the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan, which was also their first home internationals in 19 months. According to a press release, the side has been preparing in a high-performance camp in Antigua prior to the upcoming series.

The three T20Is, scheduled to be played on August 31, September 2 and September 4, will take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (SVRCG), following which both sides will play a five-match ODI series from September 7 to 19, with the first three matches being played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) and the last two at the SVRCG.

West Indies squad (for first T20I against South Africa): Anisa Mohammed (capt), Deandra Dottin (vice-capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman