Uncapped bowlers Beth Langston and Sophie Ecclestone have been named in the England squad that will tour the West Indies next month. The fifteen player squad which was announced by the ECB today, will play a five match ODI series between 8th and 19th of October with the last three matches counting towards the ICC Women's Championship.
Seventeen year old left-arm spinner Ecclestone makes the team after impressing in the recent Natwest T20 series against Pakistan, where she took three wickets. The Lancashire Thunder bowler played well during the KIA Super League, taking six wickets during the competition in a team that struggled without star internationals Sarah Taylor and Sarah Coyte.
Langston, who played for the Loughborough Lightning team that reached KIA Super League Final's Day, made her international T20 debut in 2013, in a previous tour of the Caribbean. The 24-year-old makes the squad despite being previously ruled out after breaking her left thumb in an inter-squad training match.
Her rehab has progressed quicker than first anticipated and therefore a return is expect during the West Indies tour. Langston will return to the side for the first time since making her debut three years ago, with numerous injuries stalling her international development.
Three players miss out from the squad that beat Pakistan during the summer, with seamers Natasha Farrant and Kate Cross being dropped as England include four front-line spinners. Middlesex middle-order batter Fran Wilson will also miss the tour, as she is ruled out due to a broken little finger sustained during training.
All five of the ODI matches are set to take place in Jamaica, two at Montego Bay and three in Kingston. The West Indies, lead by Western Storm player Stefanie Taylor, currently sit second in the ICC Women’s Championship table, above England. Three wins for Heather Knight's side in the ICC Championship matches would secure England one of the four spots for automatic qualification for next summers ICC World Cup, which will be held in England.
England Women's Squad To Tour West Indies:
Heather Knight (C), Anya Shrubsole (VC), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones (WK), Beth Langston, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt
Heather Knight (C), Anya Shrubsole (VC), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones (WK), Beth Langston, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt