Cricket fans across Antigua and Barbuda are celebrating a landmark moment for the nation’s sporting community, after local bowler Shawnisha Hector earned a coveted spot on the 15-player West Indies Women’s roster for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup hosted in England. The Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) moved quickly to release an official statement congratulating Hector on her historic selection, framing the achievement as a win for both the athlete and the country’s growing cricket ecosystem.
Hector will join a star-studded regional squad led by experienced team leaders Hayley Matthews, who reprises her role as captain, and vice-captain Chinelle Henry. The full roster includes many of the region’s top cricket talents, such as all-rounder Stafanie Taylor, hard-hitting batter Deandra Dottin, and spin bowler Karishma Ramharack, among other standout players Aaliyah Alleyne, Shermaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar.
Hector’s call-up extends Antigua and Barbuda’s long-running tradition of having athletes represent the region at the highest tier of international women’s cricket, a testament to both her years of consistent hard work and the success of regional development programs nurturing young female talent. The milestone marks a significant progression in Hector’s career, which has seen her climb the ranks from domestic competition to the global cricket stage.
Before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, the West Indies Women’s side has a packed schedule of preparatory competition to fine-tune their form. First, the team will travel to Ireland to compete in the Evora Women’s International Tri-Series, running from May 28 to June 3, where they will face off against hosts Ireland and Asian powerhouse Pakistan. From Ireland, the squad will move directly to England for two high-stakes warm-up matches against top-ranked opponents: they will take on India on June 8, followed by a clash with defending champions Australia on June 10. The West Indies will open their official World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 13.
One of the most anticipated events on the global women’s sporting calendar, the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will bring together the world’s top 10 women’s national cricket teams to compete for the sport’s most prestigious T20 title across a month of competition in England.