English army has had a happening year on the cricketing field. With Stokes winning the summer at Lords and Headingley, England will look to rule 2020 more convincingly.
While the men’s team on the protea soil, the women shall head towards arch-rivals. The world cup scheduled in February shall test the English women with Australian conditions. Recently, the faces were revealed for the much-awaited cup. The announcement came in Lords with eyes from fans throughout the world. The 15-member squad differs from the routine pattern of selection that teams like India and Australia have followed.
Lisa Keightley as a fresh coach chose to have all capped and experienced players in her side. Further, she stressed that her players have had the experience of playing in knockout and crucial stages of big tournaments like the World Cup and it was hard for any new name to establish a position in the line-up. The team combinations have remained mainly unchanged from the series when the English women whitewashed Pakistan in front of the Malaysian crowd. The only change has been the addition of all-rounder Georgia Elwiss. She has replaced left-arm spinner, Kristie Gordon.
Elwiss, brings in valuable experience of 9 years and four world cup events. Apart from Elwiss, the English side has Natalie Sciver and Katherine Brunt for their all-rounder concerns.
The complete squad is as follows-
Heather Knight (captain, Berkshire) Tammy Beaumont (Kent) Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire) Kate Cross (Lancashire) Freya Davies (Sussex) Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire) Georgia Elwiss (Sussex) Sarah Glenn (Worcestershire) Amy Jones (wicketkeeper, Warwickshire) Nat Sciver (Surrey) Anya Shrubsole (Berkshire) Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire) Fran Wilson (Kent) Danni Wyatt (Sussex) Mady Villiers (Essex)
The impact of WBBL cannot be undermined with players from around the world having a good idea of the Aussie conditions. It is interesting to note that only three members of the 15 women squad have not featured in a global ICC event. Freya Davis, Sarah Glenn, and Maddy Villiers will look to leave their mark on the tournament with their first appearance globally. Davis is expected to open the bowling. The inaugural match for the English side will be against mighty proteas at the historic WACA ground, on 23rd February, where the pace will play the deciding factor.
Maddy along with Sarah will work their ways with Sophie Eccelstone who is one of the finest spinning talents of the world. The batting line up for the English fans looks settled and experienced. With a seasoned captain in form of Heather Knight, the English side may look to incite its might into the women’s world cup. Fans and lovers of the game will hope that English women and the barmy army find their rhythm all fine in the world event.
A student who enjoys studying cricket more than anything else, keen to learn the insights of the women’s game.