After the Trent Bridge test match Jon Lewis has made two changes for his ODI squad to face Australia in the final trio of games in the 2023 Ashes.
Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Filer reappear at the expense of Alice Davidson-Richards and Emma Lamb.
- Heather Knight (captain, Western Storm)
- Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
- Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
- Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
- Kate Cross (Thunder)
- Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers)
- Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
- Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
- Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
- Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
- Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
- Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)
- Issy Wong (Central Sparks)
- Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
Now he has six bowlers to deliver the ball at pace, with Nat Sciver-Brunt returned to full fitness, we must hope. Those numbers mean that players will have the chance of a break, should the need arise.
Both Beaumont and Filer made a considerable impression in the test, though the overall effect could not swing the result.
Once more Emma Lamb has to wait her turn. Her ODI batting figures of 336 runs at 37 look highly impressive. We have to wonder whether her career at the top would have flourished better if she’d remained a captain’s option with her off-spin (3-96 at 32).
Once again the English side is looking at a vertical climb. The Australians are even less willing to lose ODIs than T20s. Perhaps, if we asked nicely?
A squad of 15 means there will be four disappointed players at each game. We can amuse ourselves guessing who the unfortunates will be.
A nice point for the ECB’s think-tank: where should future ODIs be held? (see fixtures below) The T20s won vast audiences at major test grounds. We now go Westward Ho!, to three county grounds that have been loyal supporters of the women’s game. Will they be large enough for the new swarms of spectators coming to watch? The Ageas certainly (it is a test ground); but the other two? Familiar homes like Chelmsford, Canterbury, Derby, Hove, Leicester and Worcester must also come into question for the future.
Fixtures
12 July, Bristol, 13.00
16 July, Southampton, 11.00
18 July Taunton, 13.00
All ‘sold out’!
For comparison:
The Test squad
Heather Knight (captain, Western Storm)
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
Kate Cross (Thunder)
Alice Davidson-Richards (South East Stars)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Emma Lamb (Thunder)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (vice-captain, The Blaze)
Issy Wong (Central Sparks)
Danielle Wyatt (Southern Brave)
