In preparation for their upcoming tour of New Zealand, England has announced two T20 squads, revealing notable exclusions for the first three matches.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Alice Capsey, and Danni Wyatt will be absent from the initial T20 matches as they have been granted permission to complete the Women’s Premier League (WPL) season in India, which runs from February 23 to March 17. Lauren Bell and captain Heather Knight, however, have opted to withdraw from the WPL, making themselves available for the entire T20 series.
Jonathan Finch, the director of England women’s cricket, expressed his full support for the WPL players’ commitment, acknowledging the challenges posed by the short timeframe between the WPL’s conclusion and the start of the T20 series in New Zealand.
The short duration of just one or two days between the end of the WPL and the start of the first T20 in New Zealand has compelled us to address the challenges of managing players’ long-term workload. This involves striking a balance between their involvement in the WPL and providing clear guidance to the group of players gearing up for the initial three T20 matches, as explained by Finch.
He further explained that Bell and Knight withdrew from the WPL after discovering that mid-tournament replacements are not allowed under WPL rules, emphasizing their commitment to fair play.
England’s head coach Jon Lewis, who also coaches UP Warriorz in the WPL, has made arrangements to focus on the T20 tour. He will depart from the WPL ahead of schedule to oversee the team’s preparations in New Zealand.
The initial T20 squad for the first three matches includes potential debutant Hollie Armitage and the return of left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who hasn’t played for England since 2019.
T20 Squad for First Three Matches
- Hollie Armitage
- Tammy Beaumont
- Lauren Bell
- Maia Bouchier
- Charlie Dean
- Sophia Dunkley
- Lauren Filer
- Danielle Gibson
- Sarah Glenn
- Bess Heath
- Amy Jones
- Heather Knight (captain)
- Linsey Smith
The squad for the fourth and fifth T20 matches sees the return of Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Danni Wyatt.
T20 Squad for Fourth and Fifth Matches:
- Tammy Beaumont
- Lauren Bell
- Maia Bouchier
- Alice Capsey
- Charlie Dean
- Sophia Dunkley
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Lauren Filer
- Danielle Gibson
- Sarah Glenn
- Bess Heath
- Amy Jones
- Heather Knight (captain)
- Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Danielle Wyatt
Additionally, England has also announced the ODI squad for the tour of New Zealand.
ODI Squad:
- Tammy Beaumont
- Lauren Bell
- Maia Bouchier
- Alice Capsey
- Kate Cross
- Charlie Dean
- Sophia Dunkley
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Lauren Filer
- Danielle Gibson
- Sarah Glenn
- Bess Heath
- Amy Jones
- Heather Knight (captain)
- Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Danielle Wyatt
