By Tapiwa Chawagarira
ZIMBABWE Cricket has named a 16-member Lady Chevrons squad for the upcoming six-match white-ball series against the West Indies Women, with Josephine Nkomo set to lead the side in a landmark assignment that gets underway in Harare tomorrow.
The series, comprising three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals, will run from September 24 to October 7, with the ODIs scheduled at Harare Sports Club before the teams move to Takashinga Cricket Club for the T20I matches.
Nkomo’s appointment continues the leadership structure confirmed by Zimbabwe Cricket earlier this year, when the experienced all-rounder was officially appointed captain of the women’s national team, with left-arm seamer Nomvelo Sibanda named as her deputy.
The 29-year-old Nkomo returned to the national setup earlier this month after missing the tour of Pakistan in May due to injury. She subsequently led Zimbabwe in the historic five-match T20I series against South Africa in Bulawayo.
The squad announced for the West Indies assignment retains a strong core of experienced players, including Sibanda, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, and Sharne Mayers, while also providing another opportunity for younger members of the national setup.
Beloved Biza and Christina Mutasa, who were part of Zimbabwe’s Under-19 side at the recent ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Dar es Salaam, remain in the senior squad. Their inclusion is part of Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to blend established international players with emerging talent.
The 16-player squad is: Josephine Nkomo (captain), Nomvelo Sibanda (vice-captain), Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Sharne Mayers, Beloved Biza, Nyasha Gwanzura, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Chiedza Dhururu, Tendai Makusha, Christina Mutasa, Michelle Mavunga, Loryn Phiri, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, and Francesca Chipare. Chigora has been selected for the ODIs only, while Chipare is included for the T20Is only.
The appointment of Mark Coles as head coach also adds a new dimension to the campaign. Coles took charge of the national side earlier this month, with the South Africa series serving as his first assignment in the role.
Zimbabwe enter the West Indies series after a difficult five-match T20I campaign against South Africa, which ended in a 5-0 defeat. Despite the results, the series provided valuable exposure to senior international opposition, with Zimbabwe’s batting and bowling units tested across five consecutive matches.
The upcoming ODI series carries additional significance because it forms part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29 cycle. Zimbabwe currently sit 10th in the Championship standings after losing all six of their matches in the current cycle, while the West Indies are fifth with four victories from nine matches.
The West Indies arrive in Zimbabwe with a 15-player squad led by Hayley Matthews for the ODI leg. The visitors recently completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep against Ireland, and experienced players including Stafanie Taylor and Afy Fletcher are part of the touring party. Matthews, however, will leave the squad before the T20I leg due to personal reasons.
The encounter will also be historic, as it is the first bilateral series between Zimbabwe Women and the West Indies Women across formats. The three ODIs will be played at Harare Sports Club on September 24, 27, and 30, followed by T20Is at Takashinga on October 3, 5, and 7.
For the Lady Chevrons, the series presents an immediate opportunity to build on the experience gained against South Africa while making progress in the Women’s Championship. For Nkomo and her players, the challenge begins tomorrow when the two sides meet in the opening ODI at Harare Sports Club.
