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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have unveiled their squad for the upcoming limited-overs tour of New Zealand, marking a significant return for seasoned player Tammy Beaumont. The squad announcement includes the naming of two T20I squads and an ODI outfit for the upcoming series.
Tammy Beaumont’s comeback in the T20I squad
Beaumont’s return to the England T20 squad is a notable highlight of the announcement. After a gap of more than two years since her last appearance in the shortest format, Beaumont’s inclusion in both squads signals her comeback to international cricket.
Notable absences and player availability
England will be without some experienced players for the first three T20 matches. Notable absentees include Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Alice Capsey, and Danni Wyatt, who have been granted permission to finish the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) before joining the squad.
However, Lauren Bell and regular skipper Heather Knight will be available for the entire series as they have withdrawn from the WPL. This decision ensures their availability for the matches despite the clash with the WPL schedule.
Explanation by Jonathan Finch
Jonathan Finch, the director of England Women’s cricket, provided insight into the decision to announce two T20I squads. He emphasized the need to balance long-term workload management for players with participation in the WPL while ensuring clarity for the squad preparing for the initial matches. This approach allows flexibility for players participating in the WPL and ensures the availability of key players for specific matches.
“The short window of just one or two days between the end of the WPL and the first IT20 in New Zealand has meant we have needed to balance the challenges of long-term workload management for players, allowing participation in the WPL and ensuring we give clarity to the group of players preparing for the first three IT20s. As a result, we have named two IT20 squads with the WPL players being available for the fourth and fifth matches of the series. All players participating in the WPL were given our backing to remain in India for the duration of the tournament. Lauren Bell and Heather Knight have withdrawn from the WPL to ensure they can be available for all IT20 games in New Zealand,” said Finch in a statement.
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Tour details and fixture schedule
The tour of New Zealand is set to commence with the T20I series on March 19 at University Oval in Dunedin. Following the five T20Is, both teams will compete in a three-match ODI leg, starting April 01 at Basin Reserve in Wellington. The ODI matches are part of the ICC Championship.
England Women Squads for New Zealand tour:
T20I squad for first three matches: Hollie Armitage, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (c), Linsey Smith.
T20I squad for last two matches: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle Wyatt.
ODI squad: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle Wyatt.
