The England Cricket Board (ECB) has made changes to its squad ahead of their final ODI and the two T20Is against Ireland in the ongoing limited-overs series. Seren Smale and Katie George are the two players who have been called up to join the England side.
Wicketkeeper-batter Seren Smale will join the team ahead of the third ODI against Ireland, adding depth to the squad’s batting lineup. She will also be part of the two T20Is, which will commence after the conclusion of the ODI series.
Smale was part of the England U-19 team in the 2023 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, where the right-handed batter scored 121 runs in six matches at an average of 30. It was her maiden season in the Women’s Hundred, where she represented Birmingham Phoenix, playing eight matches for the side. Recently, she was part of the Thunder team in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, delivering a notable performance, amassing 515 runs in 13 matches at an average of 39.61, with a highest score of 99, which has led to her maiden call-up to the England senior women’s team.
Smale was equally successful in 9 T20 games, posting 207 runs, including a highest score of 88*, averaging 34.50 and striking at 112.50. Given a chance in any format of the game, this promising talent will be one to watch out for.
Meanwhile, Katie George has been added to England’s T20 squad against Ireland. The Hampshire all-rounder has made her comeback to the England side, having previously featured for the senior team in 2018. George has been in top form in the ongoing 2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, representing Central Sparks. She contributed with both bat and ball, accumulating 321 runs from 12 outings at an average of 35.66, while also taking 14 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 5.34.
Earlier this domestic season, Katie chipped in with 75 runs from 9 T20 innings, while also taking 13 wickets from 11 outings, maintaining an economy rate of 7.11. On the back of this success, Katie will look to make an impact if given a chance in the T20I series against Ireland.
England currently holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, with the final ODI being played on September 11 in Belfast. The two-match T20I series will begin on September 14.
