West Indies Women Cricket Team: History, 2016 T20 World Cup Win
A guide to the West Indies women’s cricket team, a combined Caribbean side, covering the 2016 T20 World Cup triumph, early Tests and star all-rounders.
West Indies Women represent a group of Caribbean territories, in the same way as the region’s men’s side. The team has produced some of the game’s most explosive all-rounders and won a world title in the T20 format.
A combined team
The team is run by Cricket West Indies and selects players from several island nations and territories. This structure means domestic competitions are played across the region, and international players often come from different countries and backgrounds.
Early history
West Indies Women played Test cricket in 1976, in a series against India. Like several other nations outside England and Australia, they have played relatively few Tests, with most of their international schedule coming in limited-overs cricket.
The 2016 triumph
The side’s greatest moment came at the 2016 T20 World Cup in India. West Indies beat Australia, the leading team of the era, in the final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with Hayley Matthews making a half-century and Stafanie Taylor leading the side. The victory was celebrated across the Caribbean.
Standout players
Deandra Dottin is known for her power-hitting and scored the first century by a woman in T20 internationals, against South Africa at the 2010 World Cup in Bridgetown. Stafanie Taylor has been among the region’s most consistent all-rounders over a long career. Hayley Matthews has established herself as another prominent all-round talent.
Outlook
The challenge is to turn bursts of brilliance into steady results, and to provide regular fixtures and domestic support across a geographically scattered region. This overview does not cover current squads, captaincy, rankings or results after 2024.
Frequently asked questions
When did West Indies Women win the T20 World Cup?
They won the 2016 tournament in India, beating Australia in the final at Eden Gardens.
Who scored the first women’s T20I century?
Deandra Dottin scored the first century by a woman in T20 internationals, against South Africa in 2010.
Is West Indies Women a single country’s team?
No. It is a combined side drawn from several Caribbean territories and run by Cricket West Indies.