After months away from the international cricket scene, Deandra Dottin has found her way back to the West Indies setup, and the decision feels right. Speaking candidly with ESPNcricinfo, Dottin revealed the emotional pull that ultimately led her back to the game she has dedicated most of her life to.
“To be honest, I did miss international cricket. I missed the fun, the big stage. I had a good period of reflection. I was able to assess my future goals, and I realised I was missing something I love. This [playing for West Indies] is all I’ve been doing since my teens. It was really hard to stay away for a bit longer,” Dottin shared.
But her return wasn’t merely driven by nostalgia or desperation. For the 33-year-old Barbadian allrounder, the decision was about timing, alignment, and a renewed team culture under the guidance of new West Indies head coach Shane Deitz.
“A lot of things had aligned for me to come back. To witness the team atmosphere currently – it’s been fantastic. The culture they’ve created is better than before and it’s working for the players. The past is in the past; it’s about moving forward. Things are on the right path. Players are comfortable and can speak up. It [team atmosphere] is a lot better,” she explained.
Dottin’s return follows a turbulent period. Six months after announcing her retirement in August 2022, she was one of the top overseas picks at the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL). However, her journey in the WPL took a twist when she was controversially withdrawn from Gujarat Giants’ squad just days before the tournament, allegedly due to her recovery from a “medical situation”, a claim Dottin disputed at the time.
The situation took a further turn when she went unsold at the WPL auction in December 2023, despite being one of only two players placed in the top salary bracket. Reflecting on the disappointment, Dottin remains at peace.
“I tend to not dwell on things,” she said.
“I just push it away and forget about it. It’s about trying to move forward, there’s no point dwelling on the past. The one thing I know is, I’m always going to be the World Boss. Wherever I play, every time I step out onto the field, I will give it 1000 per cent, just be competitive like I’ve always been.”
When asked if she would participate in the WPL auction again, her response was unequivocal: “I definitely won’t hesitate to [sign up]. Trust me.”
Dottin’s journey of self-reflection and rediscovery also led her to a new chapter that included moving to Scarborough in February 2023, where she embraced her sexuality and found a place where she could live freely.
“Basically, because of my sexuality. [For] not being judged as well as I can be more open and comfortable in a country where they embrace and accept it,” she revealed.
It was here, playing casual cricket in local parks, that Dottin began to reconnect with the game in a new way. “Every weekend, I’d go to the park nearby where a lot of older guys used to play recreationally. I’d join them and play for fun,I became a part of a club team called Toronto Strikers. It wasn’t an everyday thing, just a patch of cricket once a week but it made me feel better and better. It gave me the opportunity to see if I was ready to go back,” she said.
Reflecting on her break from the sport, Dottin explained she recognised the value of stepping away. “Sometimes having a break is really good. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. It’s about finding someone you can trust. It helps clear a lot of things. Moving away, the enjoyment of playing again, soaking in a new life, things changing in the West Indies – it all came together.”
Still, the competitive fire within her remains unextinguished.
“I’ll be honest, though. I don’t think anything – hunger, drive, competitiveness – nothing has changed since I’ve last been here. I’m still going to be World Boss and I’ll continue to be.”
