The Birmingham Phoenix squad boasts of 15 strong members, including two players from Australia and one from India and Scotland. The other 11 players are from England, with four internationals and seven domestic stars.
Here’s a look at each of the 15 members of the squad:
Amy Jones:
The England wicket-keeper bat is an attacking player and is known for her ability to use the long handle at will. Be it ahead or behind the stumps, she is a complete utility player. She made her international debut in 2013 and since then has featured in 112 international fixtures. She has played 60 T20Is and has scored 864 runs at a strike rate of 117.23. As a keeper, she has accounted for 46 dismissals.
Shafali Verma:
India’s young batting sensation has taken the cricketing fraternity by storm, courtesy of her aggressive style of play. The world number one T20I batter has been a terrific opener at the international level since 2019. She has featured in 25 T20Is and has scored 665 runs at a strike rate of 145.19.
Ria Fackrell:
The off spinner from Warwickshire has dazzled the domestic stage with her stellar bowling. She has been around in the professional circuit since 2017. Apart from her off spinners, she can contribute with the bat as she can provide some useful runs coming lower down the order.
Erin Burns:
She is an Australian all-rounder, who has played for the national side in five T20Is and one ODI. She made her international debut in 2019 against West Indies. She is a right hand bat and right arm off spinner. She is known for her hard-hitting ability. Apart from being a cricketer, she is also a physiotherapist.
Marie Kelly:
The right hand top order bat from Warwickshire is a dependable player and can form an integral part of the batting line-up. She has been playing county cricket since 2011 and has the experience to play at the highest level. In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020, playing for Central Sparks, she scored 223 runs in six matches at an average of 55.75. She was the second highest run-getter for her side.
Evelyn Jones:
She is an all-rounder from Warwickshire. She is a left hand bat and left arm seamer. She offers variety in this team being a left hander. She made her domestic debut in 2008. In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020, playing for Central Sparks, she scored 334 runs in six matches at an average of 66.80. She was the highest run-getter for her side.
Emily Arlott:
She was picked up for the England’s national side for the series against India in June 2021. Her hat-trick during the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy attracted the attention of the selectors and was one of the driving forces for her inclusion in the England set up. In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020, playing for Central Sparks, she scalped three wickets in six outings.
Kirstie Gordon:
She is a left arm spinner, who was a part of the England team from 2018 to 2019. She played one Test and five T20Is during her brief stint and accounted for 11 wickets. In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020, playing for Lightning, she picked up three wickets in as many games at an economy of 3.48.
Phoebe Franklin:
She is a top order right hand bat from Kent. She was a part of the successful Kent side that won the Women’s County Championship in 2019. She has been picked up for South East Stars for the 2021 season of Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
Abtaha Maqsood:
She is a leg break bowler, who plays for Scotland. She has represented the country in 18 T20Is since 2018. She has picked up 23 wickets at an average of 12.82 and economy of 5.13.
Thea Brookes:
She is a right arm off spinner and a right hand middle order bat from Warwickshire. She broke into the domestic circuit in 2005 and since then has been a steady performer at that level. She has represented different teams like Worcestershire, Yorkshire Diamonds, Southern Vipers and since 2020 has been a part of Central Sparks.
Gwenan Davies:
The left-hand bat and wicket-keeper represented Yorkshire Diamonds and Surrey Stars in the Kia Super League. She was also an integral part of Warwickshire’s Women’s T20 Cup-winning squad in 2019. In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020, playing for Central Sparks, she scored 169 runs in six matches at an average of 28.16, which included her best of 50.
Isabelle Wong:
She is a right arm quickie from Warwickshire. She is known for her raw pace and has the ability to clock in speeds of over 70 miles per hour (110km/hour). In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020, playing for Central Sparks, she scalped three wickets in as many games. The Middlesex-born cricketer has also played for Southern Vipers.
Georgia Elwiss:
She is a batting all-rounder who was a part of the England national side between 2011 and 2019. She played 53 international games, picked up 35 wickets and scored 557 runs. She was also a part of the 2017 World Cup winning squad. Prior to playing international cricket, she played her domestic cricket for Staffordshire and then for Sussex.
Katie Mack:
She is a right hand opening bat and right arm leg spinner from Australia, who plays for Australian Capital Territory. She also plays in the WBBL. She made her WBBL debut in the very first season in 2015 for Melbourne Stars. In 2019, she was picked by Adelaide Strikers, after she ended the previous season as the second highest run-getter for Melbourne Stars with 846 runs. Apart from playing in Australia, she has played a bit of cricket for Essex in 2012.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
