Defending Champions England on Thursday announced their 15-member squad that would be traveling to New Zealand for the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup next month.
Led by Heather Knight, the squad consists of some familiar names with each of the 15 players being a part of the Ashes ODI series last week where the team suffered a disappointing loss as Australia got a clean sweep ODI series victory and thus retained the Ashes. Though, Sarah Glenn and batter Maia Bouchier are the two being dropped from the squad that toured Australia.
“The ICC Women’s World Cup is a special event in the international women’s cricket calendar, and we are excited by the squad we have selected, ” said director of England Women’s Cricket, Jonathan Finch in the squad announcement report by ECB.
Further adding, “The chance to refocus our intentions immediately after the disappointment of the Ashes is exciting and provides an opportunity to embrace the challenge of a global event.
England’s World Cup Squad Announced! #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/58i4UPXzdv
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 10, 2022
The 2017 World Cup winners would be looking forward to retaining the trophy they earned by defeating India by 9 runs in the Finals in front of the home crowd at Lords. Emma Lamb who made her ODI debut two days back after being added to the main squad from the ‘A’ team for the last of the 3 Ashes ODIs, is a promising addition to the team considering a great domestic cricket career as an all-rounder.
The report further saw Finch praising Emma,
“The England Women’s A series that ran alongside the Ashes enabled a wider group of players to compete for a place in the squad which has made for some tough calls on selection.
“Emma Lamb, a consistent performer across domestic cricket, comes into the squad after making her international debut last summer and offers multiple options with the bat and as an all-rounder with her off-spin bowling.” He said.
With the rise of women’s cricket and the race to the trophy among the best 8 of the sport getting tough, England would have to give all that they can to retain the trophy. The experience of Skipper Knight, Openers Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield-Hill, all-rounders Nat Sciver, Danni Wyatt, and Katherine Brunt, bowler Anya Shrubsole all of whom were a part of the 2017 winning team, would play a big role for the team that begins their World Cup campaign against their Ashes rivals Australia on March 5.
“Success at World Cups is often the pinnacle of a player’s career, and we wish all those selected all the best in their quest to win on the world stage.” said the director.
England’s squad for 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup:
Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt.
Travelling Reserves: Lauren Bell, Mady Villiers.
England’s schedule for Group Stage of the World Cup
| Date | Against | Venue |
| 5-03-22 | Australia | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| 9-03-22 | West Indies | University Oval, Dunedin |
| 14-03-22 | South Africa | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| 16-03-22 | India | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| 20-03-22 | New Zealand | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 24-03-22 | Pakistan | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 27-03-22 | Bangladesh | Basin Reserve, Wellington |
Author of the poetry book ‘The Scent of Rhythm’, I am a passionate writer and a Sports enthusiast who writes on Cricket and plays Badminton.