Follow UsAce spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who had recently taken a break from cricket to focus on her mental well-being, has made her way back into the England T20I squad for the five T20I series against India that’s beginning on June 28 in Nottingham.
However, with Ecclestone returning, and the other left-arm spinner Linsey Smith doing quite well in the last series against the West Indies, England have dropped leg-spinner Sarah Glenn from the squad.
“It's great to have Soph back, and we're looking forward to having her back in the group," Charlotte Edwards, the England women’s head coach, said in a statement.
"She has obvious qualities, and she'll be an asset to us. It does mean Sarah Glenn misses out, we are blessed with a strong group of spinners and we unfortunately can't play them all. It's now a great opportunity for Sarah to go back to The Blaze and play some competitive cricket in the Vitality Blast,” Edwards added
England also have pacer Lauren Filer return to the squad, and former skipper Heather Knight hasn’t been selected as she’s recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept her out of the entire season. The rest of the squad is quite similar to the squad that recently featured in the series against the West Indies.
The five T20Is and the three ODIs would be crucial preparation for the English side, with the ODI World Cup set to be played in India later from September.
"We're really looking forward to taking on India," Edwards said. "They're one of the best sides in the world, and it'll be a huge test for us.
"There was a lot to be happy about in the West Indies series, but equally lots of things we want to keep improving on - we're always looking at getting better. Five games against India in front of big crowds at great venues will serve us really well. This is a significant series for us with the countdown well and truly underway towards the home ICC Women's T20 World Cup.”
England squad for five T20Is against India: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c ), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong