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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled the T20I and ODI squads for the anticipated home series against Sri Lanka. Notably, two rising stars – Mahika Gaur and Bess Heath – have received their maiden call-ups to the national squad, showcasing the commitment to nurturing fresh talent.
Gaur and Heath’s remarkable rise
Gaur, a promising fast bowler, has secured her spot in both the T20I and ODI squads through a series of standout performances during this summer. Particularly noteworthy is her impactful stint with Manchester Originals in the Women’s Hundred, where she left a lasting impression. Gaur, who has previously represented the UAE in 19 T20Is, played a crucial role in Thunder’s journey to the Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day in June.
Similarly, Heath has made her mark in the cricketing circuit, earning a spot in England’s white-ball squads. Her achievements with Northern Diamonds, including a pivotal 44-run contribution in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final of 2022, have not gone unnoticed. Heath’s inclusion adds depth to the squad’s batting lineup.
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Notably, both Gaur and Heath have honed their skills within the England A set-up in recent times, with their performances catching the selectors’ attention. They were part of the England A team that played warm-up matches against Australia A ahead of the Women’s Ashes white-ball leg.
Notable absences
While the squad boasts exciting debutants, some familiar faces will be absent from the action due to various reasons. The dynamic duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Sophia Dunkley will be rested for the entire series, focusing on maintaining peak performance.
Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt will also be absent from the T20I and ODI legs, respectively, as part of a workload management strategy. Freya Kemp has returned to the T20I squad and she will play a crucial role as a specialist batter. Additionally, fast bowler Lauren Filer, who impressed during her debut in the Ashes Test, is set to make her mark in the T20I format.
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England T20I squad: Heather Knight (c), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Issy Wong, Danielle Wyatt.
England ODI squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt.
