England's women have named two new uncapped players in their 15-player Test squad to kick off the Ashes at Trent Bridge.
Seam bowling all rounder Danielle Gibson and seam bowler Lauren Filer will join their Western Storm and England captain Heather Knight in trying to take the first four points available in the multi-points system Ashes with the match slated for June 22nd in Nottingham.
Gibson hit two half centuries and topped both the batting and bowling averages for the Storm, while Filer has impressed with her ability to move the ball sideways, and a decent enough rate of knots.
With Lauren Bell, Issy Wong, and Kate Cross also included in the squad, England have a strong collection of seam bowling options to choose from, not to mention the all round abilities of Nat Sciver-Brunt to add to the mix.
There is a familiar look to the batting lineup with the experienced Tammy Beaumont, Knight and Danielle Wyatt joined by the increasingly reliable duo of Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey.
Amy Jones takes the gloves and Sophia Ecclestone will have plenty of overs of spin to get through in an all too rare Test match, and one that is being played over five days for the first time which should provide enough time to force a positive result.
“We are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting Ashes series," said head coach Jon Lewis. “We are fortunate that our talent pool is growing fast, this has enabled us to pick a nicely balanced squad.
“Dani (Danielle Gibson) is one of the form cricketer’s in the country, she is improving both with bat and ball and if selected in the team, offers us a dynamic cricketer who can change the momentum of the game.
“Lauren is a genuine wicket-taking threat with good pace and swing. Again, if selected in the playing 11, she offers us a point of difference in our bowling attack that could impact a Test match at any point in the game.
“To have two Ashes series running alongside each other is very special and we look forward to entertaining our fans and gaining some new ones along the way.”
In the Australia squad, Alyssa Healy will be leading the side in the absence of Meg Lanning and former England bowler Isa Guha reckons her unavailability will create an opportunity for the home side to get out in front early and stay there.
“The Australian women’s team are the greatest that have ever been so that's the excitement around the series,” said Guha. “But if England start well, then they have every chance of overturning them.
“They have to start well. They can't start in the third game. Against Australia you cannot be behind them in a series because they will just take it away from you.
“Meg Lanning obviously adds a lot to this team and so her not being here presents an opportunity for England for sure.
“She is someone who can take the game away from you in half an hour so that does leave Australia weaker without her, even though they have coped pretty well.”
Metro Bank Women’s Ashes fixtures
Thursday June 22-Monday 26 June: LV= Insurance Test Match, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 11am (4 points)
Saturday July 1: 1st Vitality IT20, Edgbaston, Birmingham 6.30pm (2 points)
Wednesday July 5: 2nd Vitality IT20, The Kia Oval, London 6.30pm (2 points)
Saturday July 8: 3rd Vitality IT20, Lord’s, London 9.10am (2 points)
Wednesday 12 July: 1st We Got Game ODI, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol 1pm (2 points)
Sunday 16 July: 2nd We Got Game ODI, Ageas Bowl, Southampton, 11am (2 points)
Tuesday 18 July: 3rd We Got Game ODI, Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, 11am (2 points)
