Dottin eyes World Cup success: I missed Windies cricket

TWO years after announcing her shock retirement from the international women’s game, all-action Barbados allrounder Deandra Dottin says her passion and desire to help the West Indies lift another Twenty/20 World Cup title contributed to her decision to come out of retirement.

In July 2022, Dottin confirmed her retirement from the West Indies, saying, “the current climate and team environment has been non-conductive to my ability to thrive and reignite my passion.”

“With much sadness but without regret,” Dottin said, “I realise that I’m no longer able to adhere to team culture and team environment as it has undermined my ability to perform excellently.”

However, on July 27, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the 33-year-old Dottin’s return to the maroon set-up.

As she prepares to lead Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) women into a third season of the women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), Dottin told Newsday about the motivating factors behind her move to suit back up for the West Indies.

“It was a matter of reflection. Just looking back and seeing where I was and where I want to be. What had happened in the past and stuff like that. It was just a lot of thinking in between,” Dottin said, during an interview on August 16.

“Cricket is something I love, enjoy and play with a strong passion and determination. I actually also missed the game, to be honest,” she said. “I just decided this is what I love, this is what I like to do, so I think it’s time to head back out, not really to make a difference, but to help the West Indies team.”

For this year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Women’s World Cup in Bangladesh from October 3-20, the regional women have been drawn against the hosts, as well as England, Scotland and 2023 finalists South Africa.

Dottin, who was a key member of the Windies women’s team that won the 2016 T20 World Cup, believes she can add value and experience in what she hopes could be another deep tournament run for the Caribbean team.

“There’s a World Cup coming up around the corner as well and I think I can be a big asset back on the team. I can help the West Indies reach far into the World Cup and hopefully win it as well,” Dottin said.

“Also, giving the younger players the experience and the feedback from me playing over the years. Wherever I can help improve, I’m 100 per cent for that.”

It appears the aggressive right-hander is ready to let bygones be bygones.

“What happened back then is the past. I’m coming here now to move on for better. That’s where my head is right now.”

With 270 matches to her name for the Windies across the One-day international (ODI) and T20 formats, Dottin is renowned as one of the most explosive batters in the women’s game. She has three ODI centuries, to go along with two T20 tons, one of which came off just 38 balls versus South Africa in a 2010 T20 World Cup match in St Kitts and Nevis. Dottin’s ton was the first-ever in T20s, and it also remains the fastest T20 century in the women’s game.

Dottin hasn’t featured in franchise tournaments around the world in recent times, but she says she has been “staying sharp” in sessions with Toronto Strikers men’s team, a Canadian-based cricket club.

Dottin said she’s excited by the young talent in the region.

“When you talk about players such as Samara Ramnath, Jahzara Claxton and Zaida James, they’re all improving rapidly and that’s something you want to see in West Indies cricket – even at regional level where you play and try to make the West Indies team,” Dottin said.

“Those are the things you want to see: the determination and taking things really seriously and concentrating for very long (periods).”

Dottin’s last match for the Windies came against Australia in a semifinal loss at the 2022 Women’s World Cup. In two months, she’ll hope to have an emphatic and victorious return to the maroon set-up.

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