Northern Diamonds wicketkeeper-batter, Bess Heath and Thunder seamer, Mahika Gaur have been included in Jon Lewis’ T20 and ODI squads for England Women’s upcoming series against Sri Lanka Women.
England will host Sri Lanka where they will play three matches in both the Vitality IT20 and Metro Bank ODI series, starting at the end of August.
Gaur and Heath have caught the eye of selectors in the regional system, the pair also gaining recognition, earning a call up to England A’s squad during the Ashes.
Heath has been ever-present for the Northern Superchargers, featuring in all their matches so far.
Lewis was impressed by Heath in England A’s games against Australia. “Bess (Heath) is an all-action cricketer who impacts games and is a great fit for us and how we want to play” he explained.
“She impressed in the A team games against Australia earlier in the summer and she also provides cover for Amy Jones with the gloves”.
17-year-old Mahika Gaur has been on a fascinating journey, having earned 19 IT20 caps for the UAE. Born in Reading, Gaur qualifies to play for England and seems to have swapped her allegiance. The left-arm seamer has earned herself a professional contract with Thunder after being spotted by Thunder coaches at a coaching clinic at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Now attending Sedbergh School, Gaur has excelled in the domestic system, playing a key role for Thunder and featuring for Manchester Originals in the 2023 Hundred.
Speaking to the ECB, Head Coach, Jon Lewis, praised the young seamer.. “Mahika (Gaur) is a very exciting talent” he said.
“Left-arm swing bowlers of over six-foot tall are unique in women’s cricket. Mahika has shown consistently this summer that she is a threat with the new ball and we are excited to see how she performs at international level”.
The other piece of positive news coming from the England camp is that 18-year-old all-rounder Freya Kemp has returned to the IT20 squad after recovering from the stress fracture in her back which ruled her out of the T20 World Cup in February.
Western Storm seamer, Lauren Filer, has also received her first IT20 call-up after making her England debut in the Ashes Test Match in June.
Lewis has opted to rest some of his top players with number one bowler, Sophie Ecclestone and top order batter, Sophia Dunkley not included in wither squad.
All-rounder, Nat Sciver-Brunt will miss the IT20 series while Danni Wyatt will not feature in the ODI series.
Heather Knight will continue to captain the side as they take on Sri Lanka in three IT20s in Hove, Chelmsford and Derby, starting in late August.
The ODI series will then start on the 9th September, heading to Chester-le-Street before facing Sri Lanka in Leicester and Northampton.
The ECB have also announced that there will be an ECB Development XI who will take on Sri Lanka in a warm-up fixture at Arundel on Monday 28th August. The squad will be announced once the final three teams to progress in the Hundred are confirmed.
Lewis has one eye on the future of this side explaining the need to develop young players. “With a World Cup coming up next year it’s imperative we develop the squad and players can gain international caps and experience”.
England Women's Vitality IT20 squad: Heather Knight © (Western Storm), Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers), Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers), Alice Capsey (South East Stars), Kate Cross (Thunder), Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers), Lauren Filer (Western Storm), Mahika Gaur (Thunder), Danielle Gibson (Western Storm), Sarah Glenn (The Blaze), Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds), Amy Jones (Central Sparks), Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers), Issy Wong (Central Sparks), Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
England Women's Metro Bank ODI squad:
Heather Knight © (Western Storm), Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze), Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers), Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers), Alice Capsey (South East Stars), Kate Cross (Thunder), Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers), Lauren Filer (Western Storm), Mahika Gaur (Thunder), Danielle Gibson (Western Storm), Sarah Glenn (The Blaze), Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds), Amy Jones (Central Sparks), Emma Lamb (Thunder), Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)
Vitality Women’s IT20s
1st IT20: Thursday 31st August 2023 - The 1st Central County Ground, Hove
2nd IT20: Saturday 2nd September - The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
3rd IT20: Wednesday 6 September - The Incora County Ground, Derby
Metro Bank ODI Series
1st ODI: Saturday 9th September - Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street
2nd ODI: Tuesday 12th September - The County Ground, Northampton
3rd ODI: Thursday 14th September - Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester
Commentaires