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United States of America (USA) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) are set to compete in an Under 19 Women’s T20 Series in Trinidad and Tobago from July 18 to 28, 2024. All matches will be hosted at the University of West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus Ground. This series will mark the second encounter between the women’s youth teams of the USA and West Indies, following the USA-hosted series in Florida in 2022. The tour also initiates preparations for the International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, with the USA securing automatic qualification once again.
Historical context: West Indies vs USA
In August 2022, the USA U19 team hosted the West Indies U19 for a 5-match T20I series, which saw the USA dominating with a 4-1 victory. West Indies’ Djenaba Joseph was the top run-scorer of the series, amassing 90 runs at an average of 18.00 and a strike rate of 65.69. On the bowling front, the USA’s Bhumika Bhadriraju led with 5 wickets, her best figures being 2/15 and an economy rate of 4.17.
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Leadership and team composition
Anika Kolan, recently appointed as the vice-captain of the senior team, will lead the USA squad. Kolan, a 17-year-old, was part of the USA Women’s U19 team that triumphed in the 2022 CWI Rising Stars Women’s U19 Championship. Serving as her deputy will be Ritu Singh. Key players from the 2022 championship-winning team, including Disha Dhingra, Mitali Patwardhan and Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni, are also part of the squad. Additionally, Hilton Moreeng was appointed as the full-time head coach of the USA women’s national senior and under-19 teams earlier in July.
USA’s U19 squad for the West Indies series:
- Captain: Anika Kolan
- Vice-Captain: Ritu Singh
- Players: Disha Dhingra, Chetna Reddy Pagydyala, Isani Vaghela, Sasha Vallabhaneni, Aditiba Chudasama, Lekha Shetty, Aafia Khazi, Maahi Madhavan, Saanvi Immadi, Mitali Patwardhan, Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni, Pooja Shah
Reserves:
- Pooja Ganesh
- Rithvika Karri
- Suhani Thadani