England’s preparations for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup have been disrupted by a growing injury list, with uncapped seamer Alexa Stonehouse drafted into the squad for the final two ODIs against New Zealand after setbacks to multiple first-team players.
The 21-year-old Warwickshire left-arm quick received her maiden senior England call-up following strong performances in the ongoing ECB Women’s One-Day Cup 2026. Stonehouse has taken eight wickets in five matches at an average of 25.12, including back-to-back three-wicket hauls against Durham and Somerset, performances that pushed her into national selection discussions. She is expected to join the squad in Northampton ahead of the second ODI and could make her international debut either at Wantage Road on Wednesday or in Cardiff during the series finale on Saturday.
Stonehouse’s inclusion comes after England lost both Em Arlott and Issy Wong ahead of the opening ODI at Chester-le-Street. Arlott entered concussion protocols after being struck on the head during a training session, while Wong was ruled out shortly before the match after experiencing hamstring stiffness in the warm-up.
Wong’s injury has become a major concern for England management, with the fast bowler reportedly sent for scans to assess the extent of the problem. The 23-year-old was only recently named in England’s 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup and remains one of the side’s quickest pace options heading into the tournament.
England are already without regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who missed the ODI series after suffering a tear in her left calf. While the injury has been described as precautionary in terms of World Cup planning, her absence has forced England into a reshuffle both in leadership and balance. Off-spinner Charlie Dean has stepped in as stand-in captain during the New Zealand series.
England’s squad depth has also been tested by the absence of several experienced batters. Alice Capsey missed selection because of illness, while Danni Wyatt-Hodge was unavailable ahead of the birth of her first child. Sophia Dunkley has been rested, and veteran opener Tammy Beaumont was left out of the ODI squad as England rotated players before the World Cup.
Despite the disruptions, England still managed to secure a tense one-wicket victory in the opening ODI against New Zealand. Chasing 211, the hosts reached the target with 10 balls remaining after Dean anchored the lower order with an unbeaten 31 while also taking 2 for 21 earlier in the match. Her all-round display earned her the Player of the Match award in her first ODI as captain.
The game also marked the debut of three players — Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock and 18-year-old spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, highlighting England’s efforts to build squad depth before hosting the T20 World Cup next month. Stonehouse now becomes the latest young player handed an opportunity during a period of transition and injury uncertainty. A product of England’s domestic pathway, the left-arm seamer has steadily progressed through regional cricket with Central Sparks and Warwickshire and is regarded as one of the country’s emerging pace talents.
With England facing mounting fitness concerns just weeks before the World Cup begins on June 12, the remaining matches against New Zealand could play a crucial role in determining both combinations and backup options for the tournament on home soil.
Loves all things female cricket