The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled the white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Ireland, where Kate Cross will lead the England women’s national cricket team.
The team will compete in three One Day Internationals (ODIs) in Belfast and three T20I matches in Dublin, all set to take place next month. The ODIs are scheduled for the 7th, 9th, and 11th of September, while the T20Is will follow on the 14th, 16th, and 17th.
England is riding high after back-to-back home white-ball series, sweeping Pakistan 3-0 in the T20Is and securing a 2-0 win in the ODIs, followed by a dominant performance against New Zealand with a 3-0 win in the ODIs and a clean sweep in the T20I series, winning 5-0.
Jon Lewis, the former Durham batter who currently oversees England A, will serve as head coach. He will be supported by Courtney Winfield-Hill and Chris Liddle, both of whom bring fresh experience from The Hundred, where they were involved with Trent Rockets and the champion team, London Spirit, respectively.
Notably, the squad for the T20Is against Ireland does not include any players who will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup, which has been relocated to the UAE in October due to political unrest in Bangladesh, where it was originally scheduled.
The England squad proudly showcases seven uncapped talents, each eager to make their mark on the international stage. Among them are Georgia Adams of Southern Vipers, set for T20 action, and the Central Sparks trio—Hannah Baker, Georgia Davis (ODIs only), and Charis Pavely (T20Is only).
Joining them are the dynamic SouthEast Stars duo, Ryana MacDonald-Gay and Paige Scholfield, along with Lancashire Thunder’s Seren Smale. All have excelled across domestic formats and competitions, few very consistent over the years, and now, they’re poised to shine at the senior level, bringing fresh energy and promise to the squad.
This tour marks a significant milestone for Kate Cross, who will captain the side for the first time after representing England in 91 matches across formats. She will be joined by the experienced Tammy Beaumont, and other emerging talents in Issy Wong, and Mady Villiers, who last played for England in 2021.
Freya Kemp and Bess Heath are set to feature only in the ODIs against Ireland before they shift their focus to preparing for the World Cup, while Emma Lamb and Lauren Filer have been named solely in the ODI squad.
Teenage left-arm seamer Mahika Gaur makes a return to the England T20I squad for the Ireland tour, following her recovery from a side strain that kept her sidelined during England’s home series against New Zealand and The Hundred. Despite missing out on World Cup selection due to injury and school commitments, Gaur is now back in action, bringing fresh vigor to the T20I group.
Director of England Women’s Cricket, Jonathan Finch, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming tour, stating, “After a busy season, we’re excited to cap off our summer with the Ireland series. This squad is a dynamic blend of seasoned internationals, returning talents, and those poised to make their debut on the international stage. It’s a strong lineup, featuring players who have honed their skills in a thriving domestic circuit.”
“The increasing demands of a year-round calendar offer a unique chance for those knocking on the door of selection to prove themselves on the international stage.”
“Ireland, fresh from a major series win against Sri Lanka, will undoubtedly be a tough opponent, especially on their home turf.”
“Seeing new players earn their debut is always special, and we could witness up to seven debutants on this tour.”
England’s tour to Ireland will be a crucial opportunity for emerging talents, with seven uncapped players potentially making their debuts. Under Kate Cross’s leadership, the team blends experience with fresh faces, facing a strong Ireland side coming off a series win against Sri Lanka, setting the stage for competitive matches.
England Women ODI squad:
Kate Cross (captain; Thunder), Hollie Armitage (Northern Diamonds), Hannah Baker (Central Sparks), Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze), Georgia Davis (Central Sparks), Lauren Filer (Western Storm), Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds), Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers), Emma Lamb (Thunder), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (South East Stars), Paige Scholfield (South East Stars), Bryony Smith (South East Stars), Mady Villiers (Sunrisers), Issy Wong (Central Sparks)
England Women T20 squad:
Kate Cross (captain; Thunder), Georgia Adams (Southern Vipers), Hollie Armitage (Northern Diamonds), Hannah Baker (Central Sparks), Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze), Mahika Gaur (Thunder), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (SouthEast Stars), Charis Pavely (Central Sparks), Paige Scholfield (SouthEast Stars), Seren Smale (Thunder), Bryony Smith (SouthEast Stars), Mady Villiers (Sunrisers), Issy Wong (Central Sparks)