England Women name squads for upcoming tour to India

England Women have named the two player squads for next month’s IT20 series and four-day Test match away to India.

Sophie Ecclestone is included in both squads after having shoulder surgery in September. She will continue her rehab and return to cricket leading up to the series in India.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper batter Bess Heath is selected in both groups after making her senior debut in England’s One Day International against Sri Lanka in September. All-rounder Alice Capsey is also in line to earn her first Test cap.

England will play three IT20s (Wankhede Stadium) and a four-day Test match (DY Patil Stadium) in Mumbai next month, touring India for the first time since 2019.

Heather Knight’s side will travel to Oman (17 November-2 December) for a training camp before their opening IT20 fixture at Wankhede Stadium.

Head coach Jon Lewis said: “We have a nice blend of youth and experience. It’s an exciting squad and a group that is ready to take on the challenge of what will be a really tough series in India.

“We haven’t toured India for a number of years. We have players who have experienced playing in the Women’s Premier League but many haven’t played international cricket there before. Playing in Indian conditions is great preparation for our next two World Cups in the subcontinent and will be an amazing learning opportunity for both the players and the staff.

“We respect the Indian team and are really looking forward to the challenge.”

Meanwhile, England Women A have named a 21-player squad to prepare in Oman (12-25 November) ahead of their three IT20 fixtures against India A.

Following surgery for a stress fracture of the lumbar spine in June, Tash Farrant is included where she will continue to progress her return to competitive bowling while bowlers Mahika Gaur and Lauren Filer are also among those preparing with the A group following their breakthrough summers.

A reduced 14-player squad will be named for the IT20 fixtures against India A with those not selected remaining in Oman to train with England Women.

England Women squads

IT20 squad: Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers), Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers), Alice Capsey (South East Stars), Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers), Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars), Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder), Mahika Gaur (Thunder), Danielle Gibson (Western Storm), Sarah Glenn (The Blaze), Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds), Amy Jones (Central Sparks), Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers), Heather Knight (captain; Western Storm), Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze), Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)

Test match squad: Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze), Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers), Alice Capsey (South East Stars), Kate Cross (Thunder), Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers), Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars), Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder), Lauren Filer (Western Storm), Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds), Amy Jones (Central Sparks), Heather Knight (captain; Western Storm), Emma Lamb (Thunder), Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze), Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)

England Women A squad for Oman training camp

Hollie Armitage (Northern Diamonds), Hannah Baker (Central Sparks), Alice Davidson-Richards (South East Stars), Georgia Davis (Central Sparks), Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers), Tash Farrant (South East Stars), Lauren Filer (Western Storm), Mahika Gaur (Thunder), Kirstie Gordon (The Blaze), Liberty Heap (Thunder), Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers), Emma Lamb (Thunder), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (South East Stars), Kalea Moore (South East Stars), Sophie Munro (The Blaze), Grace Potts (Central Sparks), Grace Scrivens (Sunrisers), Seren Smale (Thunder), Rhianna Southby (Southern Vipers), Mady Villiers (Sunrisers), Issy Wong (Central Sparks)

Fixtures

England Women

Wednesday 6 December: India v England (1st IT20), Wankhede Stadium

Saturday 9 December: India v England (2nd IT20), Wankhede Stadium

Sunday 10 December: India v England (3rd IT20), Wankhede Stadium

Thursday 14 December: Test match day 1, DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai

Friday 15 December: Test match day 2, DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai

Saturday 16 December: Test match day 3, DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai

Sunday 17 December: Test match day 4, DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai

England Women A

Wednesday 29 November: India A v England A, Wankhede Stadium

Friday 1 December: India A v England A, Wankhede Stadium

Sunday 3 December: India A v England A, Wankhede Stadium

ENDS