New England coach Mark Robinson has today named his first squad ahead of the teams tour in South Africa. The team, lead by captain Charlotte Edwards, will three ODI's and three T20's during the trip which sees the newly appointed coach take charge for the first time.
All but one of the 16 players announced took part in last summers Ashes, with Kent batsman Tammy Beaumont the only player not involved in the series loss against Australia. But there is no room in the squad for Middlesex batter Fran Wilson, who was awarded a central contract with the ECB in December, or Kent bowler Tash Farrant.
Nine members of the squad are currently playing in the inaugural Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia, so will join up with the rest of the team just over a week before the first one day international against South Africa on 7th February. This includes captain Edwards, who is currently playing for Perth Scorchers, and wicketkeeper-batsman Sarah Taylor, who plays for the Adelaide Strikers. 26-year-old Taylor is in line to make her 100th ODI appearance during the trip after making her debut 10 years ago against India at Lord's.
England Squad for tour to South Africa:
Charlotte Edwards (capt), Tammy Beaumont (T20's only), Katherine Brunt, Kathryn Cross (ODI's only), Georgia Elwiss, Lydia Greenway, Rebecca Grundy, Jenny Gunn, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.
Charlotte Edwards (capt), Tammy Beaumont (T20's only), Katherine Brunt, Kathryn Cross (ODI's only), Georgia Elwiss, Lydia Greenway, Rebecca Grundy, Jenny Gunn, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.
The three ODI's will count towards the ICC Women's Championship table which decides qualification for the 2017 World Cup to be played in England. England need maximum points after losses to Australia during the Ashes and to New Zealand early last year leaves them sitting fifth with only the top four teams to qualify automatically.
Match Schedule:
Feb 7: 1st ODI - Sahara Willowmoore Park, Benoni
Feb 12: 2nd ODI - SuperSport Park, Centurion
Feb 14: 3rd ODI - Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Feb 18: 1st T20I - Boland Park, Paarl
Feb 19: 2nd T20I - Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town (double-header with men's T2OI)
Feb 21: 3rd T20I - Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (double-header with men's T2OI)
Feb 7: 1st ODI - Sahara Willowmoore Park, Benoni
Feb 12: 2nd ODI - SuperSport Park, Centurion
Feb 14: 3rd ODI - Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Feb 18: 1st T20I - Boland Park, Paarl
Feb 19: 2nd T20I - Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town (double-header with men's T2OI)
Feb 21: 3rd T20I - Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (double-header with men's T2OI)