Thoughts on England Selections
This is the full England Squad:
Ellie Anderson (Central Sparks and Worcestershire)
Hannah Baker (Central Sparks and Worcestershire)
Josie Groves (Lightning and Northamptonshire)
Liberty Heap (Thunder and Lancashire)
Niamh Holland (Western Storm and Somerset)
Ryana MacDonald-Gay (vice-captain, South East Stars and Kent)
Emma Marlow (Northern Diamonds and Yorkshire)
Charis Pavely (Central Sparks) and Worcestershire
Davina Perrin (Central Sparks and Staffordshire)
Lizzie Scott (Northern Diamonds and Northumberland & Durham)
Grace Scrivens (captain, Sunrisers and Kent)
Seren Smale (Thunder and Lancashire)
Sophia Smale (Western Storm and Wales)
Alexa Stonehouse (South East Stars and Kent)
Maddie Ward (Lightning and Nottinghamshire)
Selectors’ Dilemmas
In the pool-stage matches the only stable element has been the opening partnership of Scrivens and Heap. They have produced the goods with consecutive partnerships of 124 and 136.
The remaining batters have all had their moments. Pavely has the advantage of being left-handed. At this level southpaws are not quite the endangered species they are at elite level. But her left- arm slows can’t tip selection in her favour as Perrin’s quick bowling can.
The two leg-spiners, Hannah Baker and Josie Groves, are a definite plus. If the brains trust opts for one only, then Baker must get the nod. But the damage wrist spin can do must encourage them to include both.
Of the finger-spinners the left-armer Sophia Smale stands out. The skipper has the knack of taking valuable wickets, and like several of her team-mates, she has a lot of experience at a higher level. These considerations reduce the chances of Emma Marlow’s retention.
Lizzie Scott’s position in the team is jeopardised by Ryana MacDonald-Gay. Since RMG can score solid runs, choosing her gives the XI more flexibility, and she is the vice-captain. In the T20 format it’s not necessary to open with two quicks. Opening batters can prove vulnerable to quality spin.
Among the quicks Ellie Anderson has taken the eye. Her ability to move the ball away sharply from the outside edge of the bat is a great asset. Alexa Stonehouse (left-arm) has the advantage of forcing batters to reassess angles, but she needs to avoid the deliveries that trail away down the leg-side. But the same goes for a few bowlers in the elite squad!
How on earth do you decide between the two keepers? Maddie Ward and Seren Smale are the latest additions to the roster of great keepers England have produced over the decades. The central problem for them is that only one pair of outsize gloves is available. Smale has shown great skill with the bat; that may yet be the deciding factor.
So slowly, very slowly, the great minds gathered in the marquee will slim the full squad down to the legal maximum of eleven.
One possible result of their deliberations may be:
Scrivens, Heap, Holland, Perrin, Seren Smale, Macdonald-Gay, Groves, Anderson, Sophia Smale, Stonehouse and Baker.
We may yet find out why I am not admitted to the ranks of national selectors.
