By Bradley Jacks- West Indies Women ODI and T20I Captain Hayley Matthews has welcomed the return of all-rounder Deandra Dottin to international cricket.
Dottin, who retired from the international game back, reversed her decision last week with the highly anticipated ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on the horizon.
Matthews, currently representing the Welsh Fire in the Women’s Hundred in England, spoke briefly about Dottin’s return in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo last week, highlighting the Trinidadian’s commitment whenever she plays.
“With Deandra, one thing that I can say for sure is that she is someone who, when she steps onto the field, is going to give 100% every single time,” Matthews said.
“That’s something that would be definitely wanted in any team,” she added.
Dottin, 33, has played 143 ODIs and 127 T20Is for the West Indies since her debut against Ireland in June 2008.
She has scored 3727 runs at an average of 30.54 in ODIs with three centuries and 22 fifties and a highest score of 150* against South Africa in January 2022.
In T20Is, Dottin has scored 2697 runs at an average of 25.68 including two centuries and 12 fifties. Her highest score in the format is 112* against South Africa back in 2010. That 38-ball hundred is still the fastest hundred in Women’s T20Is.
As it relates to Dottin’s role when she returns to the line-up, Matthews says she still wants to have some discussions with the team and Dottin herself before she elaborates further.
“I do plan and want to have discussions with her and with the team as well. Obviously, that’s the most important thing for us right now and until I’ve had those conversations I’d prefer not to make any more comments,” she said.
Dottin is set to lead the Trinbago Knight Riders Women in the upcoming Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).
The West Indies Women’s next fixture will be a T20 World Cup Warm-up match against India on September 28. (SPORTSMAX)
