Charlie Dean will captain England Women against Ireland Women in September, bringing her summer of leadership to a close for the Somerset all-rounder. Dean first stepped into the role during the ODI series against New Zealand when Nat Sciver-Brunt was unavailable through injury. She will now lead England in three more ODIs against Ireland. The series gives England a chance to build their ODI options for the future ahead as well.
England have named a strong 15-player squad, mixing experienced internationals with players looking to progress. Seam bowler Grace Potts and wicketkeeper-batter Kira Chathli are the only two uncapped players selected. Both have been in England squads this summer and will hope to make senior debuts. Charis Pavely is also included after playing two T20Is and will aim for her ODI debut. Her selection gives England another young all-round option.
Ryana MacDonald-Gay returns to the England squad after recovering from a lower back injury. She has performed well for Surrey and Manchester Super Giants this season. Eight players were involved in England’s second-placed T20 World Cup finish. Tilly Corteen-Coleman is among them and will hope to add to the two ODI appearances she made against New Zealand. Her inclusion also gives England another left-arm spin option for the series.
Alice Capsey, reserve wicketkeeper during the T20 World Cup, will take the gloves in the absence of Amy Jones. Jones is one of five senior players not selected as England look to widen and deepen their ODI player pool. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt-Hodge are managing fitness and recovery, while Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell are also not selected. The changes give others a chance for bigger roles. England will hope the new options can perform well.
England head coach Charlotte Edwards said the Ireland matches are an important part of the team’s summer and a chance to focus again on ODI cricket. “It has been an incredible summer for Women’s Cricket already, and these three ODI matches against Ireland make up an important series for us to complete our summer.” She said the series can help players prepare for future challenges. England will also want to continue building confidence in 50-over cricket.
Edwards added, “The focus has rightly been on T20 cricket for much of this year, but with a memorable run to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final now behind us, this is a chance for players to display their 50-over skills and bank some valuable experience for the future.” She continued, “We have got plenty of exciting and talented cricketers in our game and this is an opportunity for some of them to push themselves further forward by hopefully contributing to England victories and putting pressure on future selection.”
England Women’s Squad for Ireland ODIs:
Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kira Chathli, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean (C), Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock, Freya Kemp, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Charis Pavely, Grace Potts, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong
The ODI series will be played across three venues in England. The first match is on September 1 at Uptonsteel Grace Road in Leicester, followed by the second on September 3 at The OurCoop County Ground in Derby. The final match will be played on September 6 at New Road in Worcester. The games will give England important ODI experience. Each match will also provide players with a chance to strengthen their claims for future selection.
ODI Series Fixtures:
September 1: England Women v Ireland Women — Uptonsteel Grace Road, Leicester — 1pm
September 3: England Women v Ireland Women — The OurCoop County Ground, Derby — 1pm
September 6: England Women v Ireland Women — New Road, Worcester — 10:30am
For Dean, the series will be another leadership opportunity after she stepped up earlier this summer. England will want strong performances while giving less experienced players a chance to show they belong. With senior names rested and new options tested, the series should help England build greater depth in ODI cricket. It will also give Chathli, Potts and Pavely a chance to take an important step forward.
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