The Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent is set to host the opening T20I of the three-match series on March 19 as West Indies take on the top-ranked Australia side. With the T20 World Cup approaching, the contest presents an important test for both teams. Australia arrive with their reputation for consistency and a new leadership phase under Sophie Molineux, while the hosts will aim to capitalise on home conditions and their trademark flair in the shortest format.
Squads
West Indies Women’s Cricket Team
Hayley Matthews, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Eboni Brathwaite, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Shawnisha Hector, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Zaida James
Australia Women’s Cricket Team
Sophie Molineux, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham, Tahlia Wilson
Players to watch
Ellyse Perry
Ellyse Perry remains one of Australia’s most seasoned performers in T20Is, having played 171 matches with a batting average of 30.00. She has accumulated 2,201 runs in the format and has developed into an increasingly assertive middle-order option, maintaining a strike rate of 116. With the ball, her tally of 126 wickets at an average of 18.93 highlights her continued effectiveness as a right-arm seamer.
Sophie Molineux
Recently appointed captain for the series, Sophie Molineux offers a disciplined bowling approach that has brought her 45 wickets from 41 T20I appearances. Her economy rate of 6 underscores her ability to control scoring in key phases of an innings. Though her opportunities with the bat have been limited, recent domestic outings suggest she can contribute valuable lower-order runs when required.
Hayley Matthews
Hayley Matthews heads into the series as the world’s top-ranked T20I all-rounder and carries significant responsibility for West Indies with both bat and ball. She has scored 3,017 runs at a strike rate of 114.76, including a highest score of 132, and continues to be a major threat at the top of the order. Her off-spin has also been impactful, with 114 wickets at an average of 19.11, making her a key tactical option in Caribbean conditions.
Deandra Dottin
Widely recognised as the “World Boss,” Deandra Dottin remains a match-winner through her power-hitting. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to reach 100 sixes in WT20Is and has amassed 3,044 runs, including two centuries. Her strike rate ranks among the highest for experienced international players. Dottin’s medium-pace bowling, which has yielded 71 wickets, also provides the side with an additional breakthrough option.
Pitch report
The Arnos Vale surface is traditionally slow and offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Seamers may find early movement and bounce, but as the pitch settles, it tends to dry out, bringing spinners more prominently into the game.
Weather forecast
Conditions in Arnos Vale are expected to remain sunny through the day and cloudy in the evening. Temperatures are likely to range between a high of 26°C and a low of 24°C. There is a 15% chance of rain during daytime hours, increasing to 20% later, with easterly winds blowing at 17 mph.
Fantasy Playing XI
Hayley Matthews, Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Zaida James, Sophie Molineux, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham
Match details
Date: March 19, 2026
Time: 4:00 AM IST
Venue: Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent
