It’s time for the biggest cricket rivals to take the stage against each other yet again as one of the greatest cricket competitions, The Ashes is back.
Being held on the Australian pitches, parallel to the Big Bash League, the Men’s edition which consists of five test matches got underway on December 8 while the women will get in action in the latter half of January playing all three formats- one-off test, three T20Is and the same number of ODIs following a point system- 4 for the test (2 each in case of a draw) and 2 for every T20I and ODI.
With just around a month and 10 days remaining for the big competition, England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday announced their 17 members, strong squad, along with a 12-member squad for England A that would be accompanying the senior players and may get a chance into the senior team depending upon their performance against Australia A as well as internal warm-ups.
England’s 17-strong senior group announced for the Women’s Ashes. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/hBDhoYnIi3
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 17, 2021
A report on ICC’s official website shared England Women’s Head Coach Lisa Keightley’s excitement.
“It’s always exciting to head to Australia to take on the challenge of winning the Ashes and we’re really looking forward to going out there and making some memories as a team.” She said
Further adding, “This is the first time we’ve taken an England Women’s A squad alongside the senior team, which is a big step forward for us. It gives us great depth and provides so much competition for places. It’s also an invaluable development opportunity for those players pushing for senior selection.”
England Women’s Ashes Squad👇
Heather Knight
Tammy Beaumont
Maia Bouchier
Katherine Brunt
Kate Cross
Freya Davies
Charlie Dean
Sophia Dunkley
Sophie Ecclestone
Tash Farrant
Sarah Glenn
Amy Jones
Nat Sciver
Anya Shrubsole
Mady Villiers
Lauren Winfield-Hill
Danni Wyatt— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 17, 2021
Captained by batting all-rounder Heather Knight, the squad for the English women consists of some top experienced players including 2021 shared second-highest WODI run-scorer, Tammy Beaumont, her opening partner Lauren Winfield-Hill, the ICC ODI and T20I ranked second-best all-rounder, Nat Sciver, wicketkeeper batter Amy Jones handling the batting department. While the strong bowling unit consists of the top two position holders of ICC WT20I bowler ranking, Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn along with the seventh-ranked in both ODI and T20I, Katherine Brunt, and the ninth and tenth ranked ODI bowlers Anya Shrubsole and Kate Cross respectively. The experienced all-rounder Danni Wyatt, bowlers Tash Farrant, Maddy Villers, and Freya Davies, and batter Sophia Dunkley also find a place in the squad. While the two new faces are the 23-years old Maia Bouchier who made her international cricket debut in September this year and 20 years old bowling all-rounder Charlie Dean who also got into the national side in September.
On the other hand, the England Women’s A squad consists of some future stars from the country who have been in the spotlight for the year, the top names include 19 years old Issy Wong and 17 years old Alice Capsey who have had a great 2021. Joining them are Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Davidson-Richards, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Eve Jones, Beth Langston, Emma Lamb, Bryony Smith, and Ellie Threlkeld.
The 2021-22 Women’s Ashes begins on January 27 with the only test followed by three T20Is between 4th to 10th February and three ODIs between 13th to 19th February, ending just around a couple of weeks before the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup. Though Australia is the most favourites having won the last three editions of the competition (9 titles in total), England is confident to get a better of the Aussies this edition.
England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt
England Women’s A Squad: Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Eve Jones, Beth Langston, Emma Lamb, Bryony Smith, Ellie Threlkeld, Issy Wong
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