One of the first things that came to mind when seeing the squad for the inaugural Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa was how differently, regions had been represented in this team to that of the most recent England Women’s T20 squad in September 2022.
The huge shocker here is Southern Vipers, one of the most dominant sides in the country, coached by England legend, Charlotte Edwards. The England women’s team is not short of Vipers with the likes of Maia Bouchier, Lauren Bell, Freya Kemp, Danni Wyatt all being regulars in the side and Georgia Elwiss having been in and around the national team for many years. Unless there is an injury, there is set to be no Vipers or Vipers Academy players featuring in the U19 World Cup perhaps leaving some wondering where the next generation of Vipers are. Mary Taylor, who made her senior debut for Vipers in September has been named as a non-travelling reserve, the only Viper to do so.
On the other hand, we’ve seen the other side of this where in England’s senior squad no Lighting or Western Storm players were called up. It is noted that Heather Knight’s absence was due to injury however the point still stands. Tammy Beaumont’s recent omission from the T20 side left Lighting without any representation within the England squad and Knight’s injury has done the same for Western Storm. However, the future is bright as for Lighting, regular senior player, Josie Groves and Academy player Maddie Ward were selected in the U19s side. Similarly for Western Storm, Hundred star Sophia Smale was called up alongside fellow Academy graduate Nimah Holland.
Northern Diamonds are most similarly represented to the England side with the call ups of Emma Marlow and Lizzie Scott who both made their senior debuts this summer. Northern Diamonds have consistently been represented by Nat Sciver and Katherine Brunt however Brunt missed out on selection in the most recent series followed by Sciver with drawing citing a break due to mental health struggles.
Similarly, Central Sparks, a region with plenty of talent in the England side have produced more talent for the U19s side. Sparks batter, Davina Perrin and spinner, Hannah Baker both received call-ups while Academy players, Ellie Anderson and Charis Pavely also earned a spot in the team. In England’s most recent squad, Sparks players Issy Wong and Sarah Glenn featured, with wicket-keeper Amy Jones captaining.
South East Stars will send two players to this years U19s World Cup. Alexa Stonehouse and Ryana MacDonald-Gay, who both picked up Hundred contracts for 2022 are set to feature at the tournament in South Africa this winter. England selected four players from South East Stars in their last series, adding a fifth with Alice Davidson-Richards receiving a late call up to replace Nat Sciver.
Sunrisers failed to have a player selected this summer to represent England, Mady Villiers being the most recent player to do so. However, their star player, Grace Scrivens, has been selected for the U19s team and speculation is that she will captain the side due to her natural leadership skills and experience captaining Kent earlier in the year.
The full squad for England Women U19 squad for ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup:
Ellie Anderson (Central Sparks) Hannah Baker (Central Sparks) Josie Groves (Lightning) Liberty Heap (Thunder) Niamh Holland (Western Storm) Ryana MacDonald-Gay (South East Stars) Emma Marlow (Northern Diamonds) Charis Pavely (Central Sparks) Davina Perrin (Central Sparks) Lizzie Scott (Northern Diamonds) Grace Scrivens (Sunrisers) Sophia Smale (Western Storm) Seren Smale (Thunder) Alexa Stonehouse (South East Stars) Maddie Ward (Lightning)
The five non-travelling reserves are:
Emily Churms (Central Sparks)
Charlotte Lambert (South East Stars)
Bethan Miles (South East Stars)
Jemima Spence (South East Stars)
Mary Taylor (Southern Vipers)
Comentarios