Team preview: West Indies

There will be many familiar faces on show for the hosts, with 11 members of the victorious squad of 2016 retaining their positions.

They will look to lean on the experience and all-round dynamism of skipper Taylor, who not only received Player of the Tournament in the competition's previous edition, but also sits atop of the MRF Tyres ICC Women's T20I all-rounder rankings.

The host nation possess a wealth of riches in the all-rounder department, with the equally combative pair of Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin occupying positions second and fourth in the list, respectively.

Alongside the 11 who kept their squad berths, Chinelle Henry, Natasha McLean and Chedean Nation are the additions, while uncapped 20-year old Sheneta Grimmond comes in as the Windies' only uncapped player.

Many have predicted spin-friendly conditions for the upcoming tournament, and the Windies' strong spin attack could prove vital. They boast no. 2 ranked T20I bowler Matthews, no. 11 ranked Anisa Mohammed as well their skipper, Taylor.

Of the Windies' group stage fixtures, only England (third) boast a higher ranking than the hosts (fourth) in the MRF Tyres ICC Women's team standings, but opponents Bangladesh, South Africa and Sri Lanka are all in the top 10.

The reigning champions will undoubtedly enter the competition as one of the tournament favourites, but their recent run of form has been erratic, thumping Sri Lanka 3-0 in a T20I series before being crushed 4-0 away in New Zealand. Their most recent 2-2 series draw with South Africa quelled any real pre-tournament worries, but much more will be required of Taylor's players if they are to emulate the victorious campaign of 2016.

Strengths

The Windies' versatility and plethora of experienced all-rounders could certainly prove key in this year's ICC Women's World T20. Captain Taylor's significant contributions in recent years with both bat and ball cannot be understated, while the huge-hitting Dottin possesses the big-game nerve that has seen her snatch many a headline in her career.

In ICC Women's World T20 2010, Dottin smashed a 34-ball 112* against South Africa, and she also has more sixes (17) than any other player in the history of the tournament, so expect fireworks from the 27-year old.

WeaknessesWhile there are options on the spinning front, Windies don't have the most fearsome fast bowling unit in the tournament. Much of the responsibility will fall onto the shoulders of Shamilia Connell, and the hosts will be looking for a spin onslaught to do the bulk of the damage.History at the ICC Women's World T20Windies are the reigning champions, having won the tournament in 2016. They reached the semi-finals in 2014, 2012 and 2010, so history would indicate a strong chance of this team progressing to the latter stages of the tournament.

Recent form in T20IsL L W W L L L L W W W (most recent first)

The Windies' two most recent T20Is both ended in disappointment against South Africa, having gone 2-0 up in the series prior to the defeats. The sides' group stage encounter should be an intriguing contest.
Fixtures9 November: v Bangladesh, Guyana
14 November: v South Africa, St. Lucia
16 November: v Sri Lanka, St. Lucia18 November: v England, St. Lucia**Squad:**Stafanie Taylor (c), Afy Fletcher, Anisa Mohammed, Britney Cooper, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Kycia Knight, Merissa Aguilleira, Natasha McLean, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond