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The much-anticipated Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2025 is all set to commence on September 6, promising another thrilling season of T20 cricket. Three teams – Guyana Amazon Warriors, Trinbago Knight Riders, and Barbados Royals – will fight for supremacy in a double round-robin format, with the final scheduled on September 17 at the Guyana National Stadium.
While Hayley Matthews will lead the Royals and Deandra Dottin will captain the Knight Riders, the experienced Stafanie Taylor is set to marshal the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Tournament format and excitement building
Each of the three sides will play the other two teams twice, ensuring intense competition before the top two meet in the grand finale. With star players from across the Caribbean and beyond, WCPL 2025 is expected to draw massive attention from fans worldwide.
Guyana Amazon Warriors make sudden changes ahead of WCPL 2025
In an unexpected turn just before the WCPL 2025, Guyana Amazon Warriors were forced to make three crucial changes to their squad. South African pacer Shabnim Ismail, England opener Lauren Winfield-Hill, and Australian all-rounder Madeline Penna have all been ruled out due to availability and fitness concerns. To fill the void, the franchise has roped in South African star Dane van Niekerk, New Zealand fast bowler Molly Penfold, and Ireland’s young wicketkeeper-batter Amy Hunter. The new inclusions bring a mix of experience and youthful energy, but the Warriors will need to adapt quickly to ensure team balance remains intact ahead of the season opener.
Also READ: Australia name Alyssa Healy-led strong 15-member squad for Women’s World Cup 2025
Guyana Amazon Warriors’ best XI for WCPL 2025
| Player | Role | Expectation |
|---|---|---|
| Stafanie Taylor | Captain, All-rounder | As the most experienced player, Taylor is expected to guide the Warriors with her tactical leadership and calm presence. With the bat, she will anchor the innings, ensuring stability in the top and middle order. Her off-spin will be crucial in breaking partnerships, especially in pressure situations. |
| Amy Hunter | Wicketkeeper-batter | At just 19, the Irish wicketkeeper is one of the brightest young talents in world cricket. She is expected to strengthen the top order with her fearless stroke play, providing aggressive starts. Behind the stumps, her sharp glovework will be crucial in supporting the spinners. Her presence also gives the Warriors a long-term prospect who can bring youthful energy to the side. |
| Shemaine Campbelle | Wicketkeeper-batter | Campbelle will be expected to hold the innings together in the middle overs, guiding the chase or steadying the batting if early wickets fall. Behind the stumps, her sharp reflexes and reliability will be key in supporting the bowlers with dismissals and run-out chances. |
| Chedean Nation | Middle-order Batter | Nation’s role will be to bring composure and resilience in the middle order. She is expected to absorb pressure when needed, rotate the strike smartly, and accelerate towards the latter part of the innings. |
| Laura Harris | Power-hitter, Batter | Harris will be expected to take on bowlers aggressively in the final overs, turning modest totals into competitive ones. Her role as a finisher will be to clear boundaries and lift the run rate under pressure. |
| Dane van Niekerk | All-rounder | The former South Africa skipper brings immense experience and leadership value to the squad. With her leg-spin, she can control the middle overs and provide key breakthroughs. With the bat, she adds stability in the middle order, capable of anchoring the innings or accelerating when required. Her tactical mindset is expected to complement Taylor’s leadership. |
| Britney Cooper | Middle-order Batter | Cooper is expected to strengthen the middle order by building crucial partnerships. Her experience allows her to shift gears depending on the situation – consolidating after early wickets or accelerating when required. |
| Ashmini Munisar | All-rounder | Munisar will be looked upon to deliver impactful overs of spin, particularly against aggressive batters. With the bat, she can play a supporting role by adding handy runs down the order. |
| Molly Penfold | Fast Bowler | The young New Zealand pacer offers raw pace and bounce, which will be vital on Caribbean pitches. She is expected to spearhead the new-ball attack in the absence of Shabnim Ismail. Her role will be to strike early and contain opposition batters in the powerplay. Development-wise, this tournament will be a major platform for her growth on the global stage. |
| Karishma Ramharack | Spinner | Ramharack will be expected to apply the brakes during the middle overs, containing the opposition’s scoring rate. She will also play the role of a partnership breaker, using her variations to dismiss set batters. |
| Cherry-Ann Fraser | Seamer | Fraser’s role will be to provide pace support alongside Ismail, using her accuracy and aggression to create wicket-taking opportunities. She will also be relied upon to deliver tight overs in the middle and at the death. |
Also READ: WCPL 2025: 3 Indian players who will feature in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League
