Jon Lewis and his selection committee have shown the greatest respect to Sri Lanka by picking two thoroughly strong squads, both 15 strong.
They are:
T20: Heather Knight (captain), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Issy Wong, Danielle Wyatt.
ODI: Heather Knight (captain) Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt
In effect this means three variations from the first to the second: Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb and Nat Sciver-Brunt appear only in the longer format. They are replaced by Danni Wyatt, Issy Wong and Freya Kemp in the 40-over chase.
Once more the selectors’ problem has been to decide where to look to find sensible proof of a player’s form. Most of us have The Hundred firmly in our lenses, but that is not the best evidence for either set of choices. For example, though Lamb is not in the best of form at present for Manchester Originals, she still finds a place in the ODI squad. At least it means that the selectors have tried to avoid the notion of the ‘one-cap-wonder’, all too prevalent in the men’s game over recent decades. Every player needs that sort of reassurance.
Then the question of old faces versus new
New and nearly new faces include Filer, Gaur, Heath, Kemp and Wong, While Lewis makes the usual reference to the ‘nice blend of youth and experience’, only two of those five (Filer and Gaur) are still in their teens, and neither took part in last January’s Under 19 World Cup. In essence that means there is an awful lot of competition for places. That is how things ought to be, even though other youngsters may be upset at their omission.
Controlling Workloads
It’s a relief to find Lewis using this phrase, after it was noticeably absent in the Ashes test at Trent Bridge. There Sophie Ecclestone was required to bowl an obscene number of overs, thanks to selectorial misjudgements. This helps to explain her absence, as well as the partial use only of major figures like Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophia Dunkley.
Sri Lanka
We must bear in mind Sri Lanka’s current standing: they rank 8th in the world in both the formats at issue this month.
In recent times far too much responsibility has devolved upon the 33-year-old captain, Chamari Athapaththu. This will be their first ever bilateral series in England, so they must quickly adapt to new circumstances on and off the field. It’s a tall order. Will the Riverside ground be kind to them in early September?
And beyond
England’s major target after the Sri Lankan tour will be the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh next year. That throws greater importance on the fifteen players chosen in the first list above.
It includes most of the ingredients needed: an experienced, cool-headed captain; big hitters alongside more orthodox stroke-makers; two keepers; two off-spinners; one legger; three distinctly quick bowlers plus a left-armer who offers height, pace and movement.
And of course, Lewis has plenty of time between now and the WC to refine his choices. Add NS-B and Ecclestone to the pot, and it gives the dish an even more potent savour.
Tour Schedule
31 August 1st T20, 1st Central County Ground, Hove
2 September 2nd T20, Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
6 September 3rd T20, Incora County Ground, Derby
9 September 1st ODI, Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street
12 September 2nd ODI, Northampton
14 September 3rd ODI, Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester
