ECB name women’s squad to face Windies
England have named their ODI squad for the tour to the West Indies in October, with Heather Knight leading the side and teenager Sophie Ecclestone getting her first call up.
Ecclestone, a 17-year-old spinner, is one of two uncapped players in the squad. The other is Beth Langston, a right arm seamer who is back in contention after recovering from a broken thumb.
This will be Knight’s first overseas tour since taking over the captaincy from long-time skipper Charlotte Edwards earlier this year. It will be a stiff challenge, as the Windies are ranked second in the format and England third.
England Women’s Head Coach, Mark Robinson, said: “We’ve done a lot of soul searching and worked incredibly hard since the ICC Women’s World T20 at the start of this year.
“The summer series against Pakistan couldn’t have gone any better in terms of results, but more importantly the manner in which we went about playing our cricket was really pleasing.
‘This tour to the West Indies will now give us a good idea of how far we have come. The heat of Jamaica and the ability of the West Indies team will test our skills, fitness and mental strength. Everyone is hugely excited by the challenge ahead.
“The unfortunate news of losing Fran Wilson with a broken finger at the end of last week has been tempered by the news that Beth Langston’s broken thumb is healing more quickly than expected, and she should be able to play a full part in the second half of the tour. Beth is bowling with good pace at the moment, and will give us another dimension with the ball.
“Sophie Ecclestone’s inclusion is a reward for all the promise she showed against Pakistan this summer. Fellow left-arm spinner Alex Hartley had a fantastic Kia Super League for Surrey Stars, and along with the two off-spinners – Laura Marsh and Danielle Hazell – the four spinners gives the bowling attack lots of options and balance.”
Squad: Heather Knight (capt), Anya Shrubsole, Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alexandra Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones (wk), Beth Langston, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt
Latest
-
NewsBrett Lee: Bumrah can fill Malinga void
Former Australia speed merchant Brett Lee has expressed his admiration for Mumbai Indians star Jasprit Bumrah.
-
NewsRoyals skipper Steve Smith available after completing concussion protocols
Steve Smith had been in doubt for the opening match against the Chennai Super Kings after suffering a concussion during a net in England.
-
NewsHe can’t cheat this time: Tom Curran looks forward to renewing sibling rivalry
They are brothers in arms for England and Surrey but Tom and Sam Curran find themselves on opposite teams in the IPL.
-
NewsWicket milestones, Crawley’s heroics and collapses – England’s summer of cricket
After two-and-a-half months, 18 matches and six series across all formats the ride is over for the men’s team
-
NewsLeicestershire, Northamptonshire and Sussex complete Blast quarter-final line-up
The final three places were confirmed, with the ties to take place on October 1.
-
NewsAnya Shrubsole excited by ‘amazing’ 2022 calendar
England’s all-time leading T20 wicket-taker looks forward with a keen sense of anticipation.
-
NewsOn This Day in 2009: England avoid ODI humiliation against Australia
Graeme Swann took 5-28 as England ended the series losing 6-1.
-
NewsDo RCB meet the criteria of IPL champions?
Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen believes RCB hopes hinge on a cast improvement in the bowling department.
-
NewsReece Topley impresses as Surrey edge closer to home tie in Blast quarter-finals
Topley left Hampshire in 2018 but the left-armer came back to haunt his former club with career-best figures of four for 20.
-
NewsICC Rankings: Bairstow and Woakes surge after ODI series against Australia
England remain in first place on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League but are the only side to have played two series.