February 19, 2025: With Alyssa Healy sidelined due to a stress injury in her foot, West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry has received a golden opportunity to make her debut for the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Henry was called up as a late replacement for Healy, who is out for the remainder of the season. The 29-year-old is eager to seize the moment, bringing her explosive batting and fast bowling to the team.
Henry’s recent form has played a significant role in her selection. On her maiden tour of India last December, she caught the attention with a blistering 16-ball 43 in the third T20I against India. She followed it up with a composed 61 off 72 balls in the third ODI, showcasing her all-around abilities.
In an interview with ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast, Henry expressed her excitement and acknowledged the responsibility of replacing Healy in the UP Warriorz squad. “This is a really huge, huge opportunity for me,” Henry said, emphasizing how the WPL represents a significant milestone in her career. “This year is definitely kind of like a test run, a trial run, for me.”
She acknowledged the pressure of stepping in as a replacement, understanding that filling Healy’s shoes is no easy task. However, Henry remains focused on delivering when called upon and using the experience to further her career in global franchise leagues.
Despite her initial nerves, Henry has adjusted well to the WPL environment, which she described as one of the biggest franchises in women’s cricket. She emphasized that she is taking the experience as a learning opportunity while playing alongside some of the best in the world.
Henry, who has made 111 international appearances across both formats, is looking to expand her presence in global leagues. She sees this as an important step toward following in the footsteps of fellow West Indian cricketers like Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, and Stafanie Taylor, who have made significant marks in the franchise competition world.
Beyond her aspirations in the WPL, Henry is focused on bringing valuable experience back to the West Indies team. The West Indies will compete in the upcoming 50-over World Cup qualifier in April, and Henry is determined to be a key player for her team. The squad is also preparing for their first women’s Test match in over two decades when they host Australia in 2026.
Henry spoke about the need for the West Indies to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of international cricket, especially in longer formats. She believes that while the team has had successes in the T20 format, including winning the T20 World Cup in 2016, the focus must shift towards improving their ODI game.
Looking ahead to the limited-overs series against England in May and June, Henry recognizes the challenge posed by a motivated England side. The West Indies’ stunning victory over England in the 2023 T20 World Cup group stage remains fresh in their minds, and Henry is prepared for the fierce competition that awaits.
As Henry prepares for her WPL debut with UP Warriorz, she views this opportunity as a stepping stone toward greater success both at the franchise level and with the West Indies national team.