The players chosen to face the West Indies (full lists below) are of huge interest, as they reveal the thinking of their new boss, Charlotte Edwards. Alongside her comes Lydia Greenway as a co-selector, a second distinguished international for Kent and England.
Edwards is fortunate to have a relatively easy ride first time out. WI are not the force they once were. Good performances will only prove their worth when England come to play the top sides again, Australia above all. They remain streets ahead of everyone.
An apparent shock was the absence of Sophie Ecclestone’s name, but she is suffering from a knee injury. She is left three short of her 300th international wicket.
More significant omissions are Maia Bouchier (from both formats), while Alice Capsey and Danni Wyatt are limited to the T20s. Some fans will be perplexed to see Sophia Dunkley retained while Bouchier is encouraged to go away and do better.
Edwards makes no mention in her statement of the detail that has produced loud outcries in social media circles: fitness. But she will be well aware of the topic and is unlikely to spare the rod (to use an out-of-date phrase) in training sessions.
ODIs
This group contains fourteen players, of whom four, Alice Davidson-Richards, Emma Lamb, Kate Cross and Mahika Gaur, play no part in T20 preparations. Linsey Smith rightly takes Ecclestone’s place in the spin department, accompanying Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean to provide a nicely varied attack.
On the seam front the choices look thinner (Lauren Bell and the re-introduced Emily Arlott), even after we recall the addition of Cross and Gaur to the strength. Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson and Lauren Filer are all missing through injury.
Edwards gives no indication of her preference for a second keeper. That was Jon Lewis’ policy too, except that Bess Heath’s name cropped up now and again. It does seem strange not to have a back-up for Amy Jones. She’s still only 31 after twelve years in England harness, but this was a chance to expose at least one more keeper to the big time.
T20s
Nobody has yet proved conclusively how to separate qualifications for the two formats. Selectors may look at career records and spot that Player X scores at 0.5 runs per over, but she is unlikely to be a top-8 batter.
In the event the selectors have picked four players for the short-form only: Capsey, Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong and Paige Scholfield.
Only DWH falls neatly into that category, her lack of long innings in the 50-over game is astonishing. It’s her ability to take an opening attack apart in T20 that sets her apart. Scholfield’s inclusion on this list only is less easy to comprehend. She is perfectly capable of wearing the batting crease out, but will be delighted to get another chance at the age of 29. Wong’s inclusion will please all her fans who see her as England’s only decent quickie.
It’s perfectly possible that Edwards will switch players across for series still to come.
Overall
One concern is the average age of the squad. There is more than enough experience on board, but few chances have been taken to give youth its head. Once again Grace Scrivens is overloooked.
Selection policy isn’t entirely clear. Edwards had said that she would pick players in form, but not everyone on the lists below is.
Suddenly Tammy Beaumont is deemed worthy of a place again. I don’t think that is Kentish favouritism; she has been scoring hundreds Bradman-fashion.
Heather Knight remains, an ex-captain taking orders from a newer one. Is the cupboard so bare?
There is no test match. Boo.
Squads
ODIs
Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain, The Blaze) Alice Davidson-Richards (Surrey) Emily Arlott (Warwickshire)
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze) Lauren Bell (Hampshire) Kate Cross (Lancashire) Charlie Dean (Somerset) Sophia Dunkley (Surrey) Mahika Gaur (Lancashire) Sarah Glenn (The Blaze) Amy Jones (The Blaze) Heather Knight (Somerset) Emma Lamb (Lancashire) Linsey Smith (Hampshire) (14)
T20s
Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain, The Blaze) Emily Arlott (Warwickshire) Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze) Lauren Bell (Hampshire) Alice Capsey (Surrey) Charlie Dean (Somerset) Sophia Dunkley (Surrey) Sarah Glenn (The Blaze) Amy Jones (The Blaze) Heather Knight (Somerset) Paige Scholfield (Surrey) Linsey Smith (Hampshire) Issy Wong (Warwickshire) Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey) (14)
I wonder why the ECB posts the T20 list before the ODI. I don’t.
