England squad announced for npower Women's Test Series and NatWest Women's ODI Series
England women's selectors have today named a squad of 14 players to face South Africa in the npower Women's Test Series and NatWest Women's One-Day International matches taking place in August
ECB Media Release
08-Jul-2003
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England and South Africa will play two npower Test matches and three NatWest ODI matches, including the first ever floodlit women's ODI at the County Ground, Chelmsford, on Wednesday 13th August.
England will be captained by Clare Connor (Sussex) with the squad including the world record breaking bowler, Lucy Pearson, who took eleven wickets in England's last Test Match against Australia, in Sydney, in February.
Pearson is joined by youngsters Isa Guha (Berkshire) and Laura Spragg (Yorkshire) in a potent England bowling attack, both of whom proved their all-round abilities in the ECB's competition for elite women's players, Super Fours.
Super Fours has, for the second year, provided players with a platform on which to perform ahead of the home international series. Isa Guha and Lydia Greenway both made their England debuts last year following successful Super Fours campaigns, and they are joined in the squad by the stars of this year's tournament, Neth Morgan (Middx) and Rosalie Birch (Sussex).
In addition to unearthing young talent, Super Fours has also provided Jane Cassar, England's World Cup winning wicket keeper in 1993, with the chance to regain her place following a two-year absence. She joins fellow World Cup winner and England's most experienced player, Clare Taylor MBE (Yorkshire) who retains her place for the twelth consecutive year.
Helen Wardlaw, the young Yorkshire spin bowler who made the squad to tour India in Winter 2001/2 has also been recalled following her consistent performances in Super Fours.
The 14 players are:
Player England Caps* Date of Birth Clare Connor (Sussex) Captain 74 01.09.1976 Charlotte Edwards (Kent) Vice-Cpt 56 17.12.1979 Rosalie Birch (Sussex) 0 06.12.1983 Jane Cassar (Notts) Wicket-keeper 83 24.12.1972 Lydia Greenway (Kent) 2 06.08.1985 Isa Guha (Berkshire) 5 21.05.1985 Hannah Lloyd (Somerset) 4 25.08.1979 Beth Morgan (Middx) 0 27.09.1981 Laura Newton (Lancashire) 35 27.11.1977 Lucy Pearson (Staffordshire) 51 19.02.1972 Laura Spragg (Yorks) 6 16.06.1982 Claire Taylor (Berks) 41 25.09.1975 Clare Taylor (Yorks) 96 22.05.1965 Helen Wardlaw 3 11.10.1982
*includes Test and One-Day caps
The selectors have also named five reserve players: Kathryn Leng (Yorks); Nicky Shaw (Notts); Jenny Gunn (Notts); Laura Harper (Somerset); Arran Thompson (Lancs).
The new England Head Coach, Richard Bates said "We have a strong squad that is constantly developing and moving in the right direction. It is promising to see some of our younger girls starting to break into the senior ranks and creating competition for places.
The visit of South Africa this summer provides us with the opportunity to show our worth and strengthen our position in world cricket".
ECB Director for Women's Cricket, Gill McConway, said "We are really starting to see the benefits of Super Fours as the gap between our elite domestic competition and the international matches becomes smaller. I'm delighted to see players who take the opportunity - either at Super Fours or U19 level - to prove they're international cricketers rewarded with a call-up to the England squad".
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7th-10th August, Shenley Cricket Ground, Hertfordshire
20-23rd August, County Ground, Taunton
The NatWest Women's ODI Series:
Wed 13th August, County Ground, Chelmsford (day/night)
Sat 16th August, The Royal and Sun Alliance County Ground, Bristol
Sun 17th August, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Wed 13th August, County Ground, Chelmsford (day/night)
Sat 16th August, The Royal and Sun Alliance County Ground, Bristol
Sun 17th August, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff