The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced a 14-player England Women’s Academy (EWA) squad to play four 50-over matches and two Twenty20s against their Australian equivalents – the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars – in the UAE next month.
Source: Getty Images for ECB
Tammy Beaumont
Kent’s Tammy Beaumont will lead an experienced EWA touring party, which includes Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire) and Amy Jones (Warwickshire) fresh from England women’s successful tour to New Zealand last month, alongside the likes of 2014 Women’s Ashes winners Georgia Elwiss (Sussex) and Natasha Farrant (Kent).
In addition to the players targeting a permanent spot in the England women’s team, the EWA squad for Dubai also includes five exciting prospects, who will be looking to make a positive impression: Staffordshire duo Stephanie Butler and Evelyn Jones, leg-spinner Alex Hartley (Middlesex), all-rounder Alex MacDonald (Gloucestershire) and Somerset’s Sophie Luff.
Source: ECB
Stephanie Butler
Commenting on the EWA squad and the purpose of the tour, ECB’s Head of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “The EWA tour to Dubai presents a very exciting opportunity for this group of players to gain some valuable experience of playing in overseas conditions against tough opposition.”
“Ahead of the Women’s Ashes this summer, the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in 2016, and the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2017, it is critical that we expose our most talented young players to as many high pressure cricket situations as possible.”
“This six-match series against the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars is designed to do just that, and it’s why we’ve selected a strong squad, which contains a blend of contracted England women’s players alongside uncapped players such as Stephanie Butler and Evelyn Jones. With the Women’s Ashes fast approaching, I am certain that every one of the 14 players will grab this opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the England women’s Ashes squad this summer.”
EWA Head Coach, Lisa Keightley will oversee the two-week long tour from March 30 – April 13, with England Women’s Assistant Coach and former England cricketer, David Capel, providing further coaching support to the players. The entire series will be played at the ICC Academy in Dubai, with the four 50-over matches being played on April 2, 4, 6 and 8, followed by the two Twenty20s on April 11 and 12.
England Women’s Academy Squad for Dubai:
| Name | County |
| Tammy Beaumont+* (capt) | Kent |
| Stephanie Butler | Staffordshire |
| Jodie Dibble* | Devon |
| Georgia Elwiss+* (vice-captain) | Sussex |
| Natasha Farrant+* | Kent |
| Alex Hartley | Middlesex |
| Amy Jones+* | Warwickshire |
| Evelyn Jones | Staffordshire |
| Beth Langston* | Essex |
| Sophie Luff | Somerset |
| Alex MacDonald | Gloucestershire |
| Sonia Odedra* | Berkshire |
| Fran Wilson* | Middlesex |
| Lauren Winfield+* | Yorkshire |
+Fully contracted England women’s player
*Has made full international debut (Test / ODI / T20I)
Itinerary
| Date | Format | Opposition | Venue |
| 2.4.15 | 50-over match | Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars | ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai |
| 4.4.15 | 50-over match | Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars | ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai |
| 6.4.15 | 50-over match | Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars | ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai |
| 8.4.15 | 50-over match | Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars | ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai |
| 11.4.15 | Twenty20 match | Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars | ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai |
| 12.4.15 | Twenty20 match | Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars | ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai |
Photo above shows Lauren Winfield batting against South Africa.
