Kolkata : West Indies iconic Women’s Cricketer Deandra Dottin has decided to come out of retirement after 2 years since 2022, making herself available for T20 World Cup 2024 selection in West Indies squad.
Dottin retired from international Cricket in 2022 , citing issues with “current climate and team environment”.
Dottin on coming back from retirement :
Dottin wrote a letter to West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regarding her comeback in Cricket.
She said, “Representing West Indies in international cricket has always been a matter of great pride and passion for me”.
“After a period of reflection and thoughtful dialogue with various parties within Cricket West Indies, including Cricket West Indies President, Dr. Kishore Shallow, I am pleased to inform you that I am eager to return to the game that I love, and contribute my utmost to the West Indies women’s team across all formats, with immediate effect”.
She said she wants to give best efforts for her team. More than playing, she also wants to play a vital part in mentoring the team’s youngsters.
“I am confident that my experience, maturity, and skills will add value to the team as it has done in the past, and I am prepared to furnish my best efforts in every match and training session to ensure the team’s winning trajectory in international cricket. Moreover, I am enthusiastic about mentoring younger players and contributing to the overall development of women’s cricket in our region”, she concluded.
West Indies Cricket Board’s response :
West Indies Cricket Board welcomed her decision and said, “Deandra is a player of immense ability and experience”.
“We are pleased with her decision to return to international cricket and be eligible for selection. There is no doubt that she could add significant value to the West Indies Women’s teams”, the West Indies Cricket Board concluded.
Dottin’s retirement back in 2022
When Dottin announced her retirement in August 2022, citing a “non-conducive” environment within the West Indies set-up, she had played 143 ODIs (3727 runs at an average of 30.54) and 127 T20Is (2697 runs). She holds the record for the fastest century in women’s T20Is – a 38-ball hundred against South Africa in the 2010 T20 World Cup. She also has 72 wickets in ODIs and 62 in T20Is.
“It has a lot to do with the board, how they handle stuff and how they handle players and how they actually speak to players,” Dottin said in August 2022 about her decision to retire. “Certain people take things different, so it is a lot of work that West Indies Cricket will need to be done and I think they need to do it as fast as possible because it’s not going to end well for West Indies Cricket or cricket in the Caribbean”.
Dottin was actively playing in T20 leagues after her retirement but hasn’t been in competitive action since September 2023. She will captain the Trinbago Knight Riders team in the upcoming women’s Caribbean Premier League, ahead of a West Indies camp in August for the T20 World Cup.
Dottin played a vital role in West Indies 2016 T20 WC win, with 129 runs and 9 wickets to her name. Her inclusion in the team will increase their chances for victory.
