England Women announce squad for Test match against South Africa

England will embark on a new era in the longest format following the retirement of Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Brunt as they set foot at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, for the one-off Test against South Africa from June 27. 

With Heather Knight at the helm, the home team have announced a strong 13-member squad to take on the Proteas and included five new faces in the team. 

Emily Arlott and Lauren Bell, the fast bowling duo, have been handed their maiden Test call-up and could be in line to make their debuts for the national side in place of Shrubsole and Brunt. 

ICYMI!

Our 13-strong squad for the LV= Insurance Test against South Africa.

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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 20, 2022

England also announced an A squad to on South Africa in a tour game. The team will be led by Georgia Elwiss and will feature Danni Wyatt along with Lauren Winfield-Hill and leg spinner Sarah Glenn. 

Head Coach Lisa Keightley said, "There are a number of new faces in the squad which brings a real level of energy and enthusiasm. We're at the beginning of a new ICC Women's Championship cycle, which starts for us with the India ODIs, and it's natural that we're looking forward with one eye on who may be a key player for us come 2025.

"Similarly, with Katherine Brunt retired from Test cricket and Anya Shrubsole from all forms of the international game, a number of bowling spots have opened up, which is hugely exciting for those players. I'm sure they'll all be very keen to grab their opportunity.

"We have to balance having the appropriate back-up for the senior squad while also giving playing opportunities. We need our players to play as much cricket as possible, which is why we have a deliberately small Test squad while the England Women's A team are in action against South Africa.

"It really is a massive summer, with the Commonwealth Games just around the corner, and we can't wait to get started with the red ball in Taunton."

The two sides will compete in a multi-format series starting with the one-off Test match, followed by three ODIs and three T20Is in July. 

England Women squad: 

Heather Knight (Captain), Nat Sciver (vice-captain), Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones (wk), Emma Lamb

England Women A: 

Georgia Elwiss (Captain), Maia Bouchier, Danni Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Freya Kemp, Eve Jones, Ella McCaughan, Kalea Moore, Tara Norris, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Alexa Stonehouse, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt.