Thunder trio named in Ashes squad
The Lancashire trio of Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone and Emma Lamb have been named in the Women's Ashes Test squad for the 2023 Metro Bank Ashes Series.
Western Storm duo Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson are included in the 15-strong group for their maiden full call-ups.
Seamer Filer, who previously represented England Academy, has been a mainstay and top bowling performer in Western Storm’s last two campaigns.
All-rounder Gibson is Storm’s joint-highest run scorer and top wicket taker in this season’s Charlotte Edwards Cup and in line to earn her first senior cap after travelling to the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as a travelling reserve in February.
England Women’s Test squad will play Australia A in a three-day warm-up fixture at the Incora County Ground, Derbyshire (15-17 June).
Heather Knight’s outfit then kick off their Ashes summer with a five-day Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham (22-26 June).
The multi-format series will consist of one LV= Insurance Test match (worth four points), three ODIs and three Vitality IT20s (each worth two points). The Test match will be England Women’s first over five days on home soil, and their first visit to Trent Bridge since 2000.
Head coach Jon Lewis said: “We are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting Ashes series.
“We are fortunate that our talent pool is growing fast, this has enabled us to pick a nicely balanced squad.
“Dani (Danielle Gibson) is one of the form cricketer’s in the country, she is improving both with bat and ball and if selected in the team, offers us a dynamic cricketer who can change the momentum of the game.
“Lauren is a genuine wicket-taking threat with good pace and swing. Again, if selected in the playing 11, she offers us a point of difference in our bowling attack that could impact a Test match at any point in the game.
“Our preparations are going well and this week’s upcoming games against Australia A and Australia give us another great opportunity to rehearse for the Test match next week.
“To have two Ashes series running alongside each other is very special and we look forward to entertaining our fans and gaining some new ones along the way.”
England Women's Ashes Test Squad
Heather Knight (captain, Western Storm)
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
Kate Cross (Thunder)
Alice Davidson-Richards (South East Stars)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Emma Lamb (Thunder)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (vice-captain, The Blaze)
Issy Wong (Central Sparks)
Danielle Wyatt (Southern Brave)
Women's Ashes Fixtures
Thursday June 22-Monday 26 June: Metro Bank Test Match, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 11am (4 points)
Saturday July 1: 1st IT20, Edgbaston, Birmingham 6.30pm (2 points)
Wednesday July 5: 2nd IT20, The Kia Oval, London 6.30pm (2 points)
Saturday July 8: 3rd IT20, Lord’s, London 9.10am (2 points)
Wednesday 12 July: 1st ODI, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol 1pm (2 points)
Sunday 16 July: 2nd ODI, Ageas Bowl, Southampton, 11am (2 points)
Tuesday 18 July: 3rd ODI, Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, 11am (2 points)