The West Indies women will begin the defence of their world T/20 title when they face Bangladesh in their opening game at the providence stadium in Guyana tomorrow.

20-year old all-rounder, Hayley Matthews has been named vice captain of the squad.

Meanwhile teenaged left-arm seamer Qiana Joseph has been called up to replace injured off-spinner Sheneta Grimmond .

The 17-year-old, who hails from St Lucia, made her international debut last year when she played two matches during the Windies’ ill-fated excursion in the 50-overs world cup in England.

West Indies will field an experienced squad for their title defence led by the talented Jamaican captain Stafanie Taylor, all-rounder Deandra Dottin, Merissa Aguilera, and Hayley Matthews all featuring.

The Windies women wrapped up preparation last night as led by even half-century by Hayley Mathews and a four-wicket haul by Anisa Mohammed they defeated new Zealand by 7 wickets in their second official ICC Women World T/20 warm-up match at providence in Guyana.

Asked to take first strike New Zealand women were held to 122 for 9 from their 20 overs with Maddy Green top-scoring with 35 while Mohammed led the windies attack with 4 for 22.

At their turn to bat the Windies women made 123 for 3 in 18.1 overs led by stand-in captain Mathews who slammed an even 50 from 38 balls.

Meanwhile in other opening games in the women’s world T/20 tomorrow, India will face New Zealand while Australia go up against Pakistan.