England Women announced a 17-member team for the one-off Test match against India Women, which is all set to start on June 16. Pacer Emily Arlott has received a maiden call-up, while Tash Farrant also found a place in the squad. Moreover, Nat Sciver was named as the vice-captain.
England Women named a strong squad for the upcoming one-off Test match against India Women. However, this is expected to be trimmed down before the Test match kick off on June 16 in Bristol. The released players will then feature in the next round of the ongoing Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
Pacer Emily Arlott, who took a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul while playing for the Central Sparks against Southern Vipers in the ongoing Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, has received a maiden international call-up. Tash Farrant, who has also been in solid form in domestic cricket, has also received her first call-up in the Test side. Having made her debut back in 2013, the South East Stars left-arm seamer has played three ODIs and 15 T20Is. Meanwhile, Sophia Dunkley, Sarah Glenn, Mady Villiers and Freya Davies were also added to the Test squad for the first time.
Meanwhile, Nat Sciver has been appointed as the vice-captain of the side. It is not only for the Test format, but the all-rounder will act as deputy to Heather Knight across all three formats.
England Women’s head coach Lisa Keightley was excited and looking forward to the summer and the cricket that is scheduled to be played over the course of the next couple of years or so.
“It’s been hard to pick a squad given the balance of needing cover in a COVID world while wanting to give players as much chance as possible to play cricket. We want players to have opportunities out in the middle so we’re looking to reduce our numbers slightly ahead of the Test to give the non-selected players that chance. I’m really excited by the summer ahead.
We’ve been working really hard across the last 10 weeks, India are a strong side and it’s the beginning of a two-year journey for us that takes in two ICC World Cups, an Ashes and the Commonwealth Games,”
England Women’s head coach Lisa Keightley was quoted saying.
England’s one-off Test will be followed by three ODIs and as many T20Is against India. That will be followed by the inaugural edition of The Hundred.