England have a big task on their hands. Winnings five out of the six white ball games in the Ashes is what’s required to secure the series win. This would be relatively achievable if it wasn’t against one of the world’s best sporting teams who currently hold both World Cups and Commonwealth Gold.
Jon Lewis has named his 16-player squad who will attempt to win back the Ashes on home soil. First up are three IT20s at Edgbaston, the Oval and Lords Cricket Ground.
Heather Knight © (Western Storm)
Skipper Heather Knight missed England’s crucial summer last year, including the Commonwealth Games where England struggled. However, Knight found some form during the 2023 T20 World Cup and performed well in the minimal regional cricket she’s played. Knight has the pressure on her with England needing to secure the five wins.
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Lauren Bell’s only featured nine times for England in IT20s, four of which were against a weak West Indies side. Regardless, Bell’s performances for Southern Vipers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup have been strong taking 6 wickets in 3 innings.
Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers)
After a quiet series in the West Indies, Maia Bouchier did not feature for England in the 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa. Despite 19 T20 caps, Bouchier has only batted in 12 matches, not having the opportunity to showcase her skills at international level.
Winning the tournament, Bouchier excelled in the Charlotte Edwards Cup scoring 196 runs from her 6 innings. Bouchier’s place in the batting order has moved around across her career but perhaps Lewis will find a more permanent place for her.
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
After being rested for the Test match, the T20s are Alice Capsey’s time to star for England. In late 2022, Capsey shattered her collar bone and underwent reconstructive surgery on her shoulder. Returning around six weeks later, Capsey featured in the 2023 T20 World Cup but struggled for form.
Big occasions are Capsey’s speciality and playing at Edgbaston, her home the Oval and Lords will be venues for the 18-year-old to thrive.
Kate Cross (Thunder)
It’s highly unlikely that Kate Cross will feature in the T20s having not played and IT20 for England since December 2019. Cross featured in the Commonwealth Games and T20 World Cup squad but did not play a game. England have a wealth of seamers and with Lauren Bell, Issy Wong and Dani Gibson coming through the ranks, it’s hard to see where Cross could fit.
Freya Davies (South East Stars)
Freya Davies hasn’t been Jon Lewis’ first pick, only featuring briefly in the 2023 T20 World Cup. However, in both the Charlotte Edwards Cup and importantly, England A’s T20 matches against Australia A has shown her ability as a wicket-taking threat. As mentioned, England do have plenty of pace bowler, making those roles much more competitive.
Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers)
Charlie Dean was initially played as solely an ODI player, but Dean featured in a T20 shirt during England’s tour of the West Indies in December 2022. Taking 11 wickets in 4 games, it became clear that she deserved a spot in the T20 squad. Dean’s World Cup wasn’t as successful, but she still took four wickets.
England duties meant that Dean only played five Charlotte Edwards Cup games, however, she impressed for Southern Vipers taking 8 wickets.
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophia Dunkley struggled to look comfortable, and score runs in the Test match but perhaps the T20s is where she could star for England. Moving to opening the batting, Dunkley still hasn’t quite taken to the role having an inconsistent World Cup and recent performances in an England shirt.
But, Dunkley has proved at domestic level the ‘fearless’ brand of cricket which Head Coach Jon Lewis wants to see on the field.
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
There’s not rest for Sophie Ecclestone’s shoulder as she will be heavily relied on to stay economical and take wickets. It’s no surprise that she had an outstanding T20 World Cup, taking 11 wickets, including 3/22 in England’s semi-final. Ecclestone is a definite on the team sheet and always one to watch!
Dani Gibson (Western Storm)
It’s exciting to see all-rounder Dani Gibson named in England’s T20 squad. After not appearing in the Test – which seemed unlikely anyway – it’s interesting to see Jon Lewis potentially have Gibson ready to feature in these key T20s. Gibson is a genuine all-rounder able to open the batting and bowling but is also versatile and can bat in the middle order. If Dunkley can’t find form, Gibson would seem a likely replacement.
Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
Sarah Glenn is another almost definite name of the team sheet. The leg-spinner has been preferred in T20s and also had a more positive T20 World Cup, despite England’s failings. Glenn took 7 wickets and continued that form for The Blaze at the start of the domestic season. Batting is an element of Glenn’s game which has significantly improved, recently scoring 43* in a regional match.
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Amy Jones needs to start scoring some more runs. There were some strong performances during the T20 World Cup and naturally, Jones plays well in domestic cricket. However, as soon as it comes to international cricket, the runs have been scarce and although she is an outstanding wicketkeeper, it’s harder to justify her place in the side – especially with Lauren Winfield-Hill back in contention.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (vc) (The Blaze)
A staple in England’s top order, Nat Sciver-Brunt will be vital as usual. Sciver-Brunt is struggling with a knee injury and so bowled minimal overs in the Test match. England have plenty of bowling options so that side isn’t a concern however, an injured Sciver Brunt is a concern for England’s batting. England won’t want to rest their vice-captain so it could be a painful few weeks for the all-rounder.
Issy Wong (Central Sparks)
Issy Wong has had a poor start to the season. Expensive bowling and inconsistent performances have been the story of her game recently but perhaps time in and England shirt will change that. Wong has proved herself as a big game player and a must win T20 at her home ground, Edgbaston, could be the opportunity to find that form again.
Lauren Winfield-Hill (Northern Diamonds)
After losing form and falling out of favour with selectors, Lauren Winfield-Hill has been included in recent T20 squads. She featured in the West Indies but it’s hard to see where she would be picked in the Ashes XI given that in warm up games she’s failed to get out of single figures with the bat.
Danni Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
Danni Wyatt is in top form heading into the T20s. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup, Wyatt was the leading run scorer with 273 to her name and a high score of 76 in the semi-final. In the back end of the Charlotte Edwards Cup Wyatt looked unstoppable and although it’s a different format, she also performed very well on debut in the Test match.
England squad: Heather Knight © (Western Storm), Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers), Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers), Alice Capsey (South East Stars), Kate Cross (Thunder), Freya Davies (South East Stars), Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers), Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars), Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder), Dani Gibson (Western Storm), Sarah Glenn (The Blaze), Amy Jones (Central Sparks), Nat Sciver-Brunt (vc) (The Blaze), Issy Wong (Central Sparks), Lauren Winfield-Hill (Northern Diamonds), Danni Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
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