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
-
News
Scott Borthwick hits century as Durham get better of Essex at Chelmsford
Essex fell apart on the opening day of their County Championship clash with Durham.
-
News
Babar Azam wants to top rankings in Test cricket as well
Currently sixth on the Test batting rankings, Babar Azam hopes to change that as soon as possible.
-
News
Cricket Australia announces contracted women’s players for 2021-22
Australia Women will host India and England this summer before heading to New Zealand for the ICC World Cup in March, 2022.
-
News
On this day in 2009: Andy Flower appointed England team director
The former Zimbabwe captain had been in charge on an interim basis since the previous January following Peter Moores’ sacking.
-
News
Wisden salute Jason Holder’s leadership with spot among Cricketers of the Year
Holder joins England batsmen Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens.
-
News
Stuart Broad: The time I made cover of Wisden and nobody could tell it was me…
Two themes loom large within the 1,248 pages: coronavirus and racism.
-
News
Sunrisers Hyderabad looking to build from opening defeat
The Sunrisers Hyderabad were the 2016 IPL champions.
-
News
Babar Azam usurps King Kohli’s ODI Rankings crown
Babar Azam is just the fourth Pakistan batsman to hold the top spot on the ICC ODI Rankings since their inception.
-
News
Heath Streak banned for eight years over anti-corruption charges
Heath Streak is alleged to have facilitated corrupt approaches to players in both international and domestic cricket.
-
News
Sophia Dunkley excited by England’s summer Test date with India
The teams, who will meet at Bristol in June, have not played each other in the format since 2014.