Follow UsThe uncapped duo of Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson have been included in England’s 15-member squad for the Women's Ashes Test, set to be played at Trent Bridge from June 22.
This is the first time England will play a five-day Test on their home soil, with Trent Bridge hosting its first Test since 2000.
Right-arm seamer Filer, who previously represented England Academy, has been a mainstay and top bowling performer in Western Storm’s last two campaigns.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Gibson was Storm’s joint-highest run scorer and top wicket-taker in this season’s Charlotte Edwards Cup. She is now in line to earn her first senior cap after travelling to the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as a travelling reserve in February.
"Dani (Danielle Gibson) is one of the form cricketer's in the country, she is improving both with bat and ball and if selected in the team, offers us a dynamic cricketer who can change the momentum of the game," said head coach Jon Lewis.
"Lauren is a genuine wicket-taking threat with good pace and swing. Again, if selected in the playing XI, she offers us a point of difference in our bowling attack that could impact a Test match at any point in the game.”
Danni Wyatt, who missed the last year’s Test, is also part of the squad. Alice Capsey too has earned a call-up and could make her Test debut.
England Women’s Test squad will first play Australia A in a three-day warm-up fixture at the Incora County Ground, Derbyshire (June 15-17).
Once the Ashes Test (four points) is over, Australia and England will be involved in a three-match T20I series (two points each) and as many ODIs (two points each).
The three T20Is will be played on July 1, 5 and 8, while the three ODIs will take place on July 12, 16 and 18.
England Women's Test Squad: Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt.
England Women's A squad for warm-up vs Australia: Lauren Winfield-Hill (capt), Maia Bouchier, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Kirstie Gordon, Eva Gray, Bess Heath, Eve Jones, Paige Scholfield, Grace Scrivens, Danni Wyatt.
(With inputs from ECB media release)