England Women have announced a trio of strong A squads for their multi-format tour of India in November and December with Durham’s Lauren Filer, Mady Villiers, Bess Heath and Grace Thompson (T20 only) all featuring.
Filer, Villiers and Heath are included in all three England A squads for the India tour running from 30 November to 22 December, while Thompson will take part in the T20 leg and is also named in the England Women Performance Programme for the coming winter.
With no fewer than 11 players across the three formats already with international experience, the upcoming challenge against India A over seven matches promises to be filled with quality competition.
Bowlers Lauren Filer, Issy Wong and Tilly Corteen-Coleman were all part of England’s squad in their recent run to the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and they are named in all three squads along with Mady Villiers and Jodi Grewcock who both featured in international cricket this summer.
A further five players are named in all three squads including Warwickshire all-rounder Charis Pavely and Surrey wicketkeeper-batter Kira Chathli who was captain of England Women A in their two home white-ball series against India A earlier this year.
Essex top order batter Grace Scrivens top-scored on either side in the 2-1 ODI series defeat and features in both the 50-over and 4-day squads, while Surrey bowler Ryana MacDonald-Gay was the top wicket-taker in the 2-1 T20 series victory and is named in both white-ball squads for this tour.
England Women A T20 Squad:
Hannah Baker (Warwickshire), Grace Ballinger (The Blaze), Kira Chathli (Surrey), Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Surrey), Lauren Filer (Durham), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Bess Heath (Durham), Niamh Holland (Somerset), Emma Jones (The Blaze), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Surrey), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Jemima Spence (Surrey), Grace Thompson (Durham), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)
England Women A 50-over squad:
Hannah Baker (Warwickshire), Grace Ballinger (The Blaze), Kira Chathli (Surrey), Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Surrey), Lauren Filer (Durham), Katie George (Warwickshire), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Bess Heath (Durham), Niamh Holland (Somerset), Emma Lamb (Lancashire), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Surrey), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Grace Scrivens (Essex), Ellie Threlkeld (Lancashire), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)
England Women A 4-day Squad:
Hannah Baker (Warwickshire), Grace Ballinger (The Blaze), Kira Chathli (Surrey), Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Surrey), Lauren Filer (Durham), Katie George (Warwickshire), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Bess Heath (Durham), Emma Lamb (Lancashire), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Grace Scrivens (Essex), Ellie Threlkeld (Lancashire), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)
Head coach Jon JJ Lewis said: “The selection for A squads is often about the bigger picture and getting ready for challenges further down the line.
“These squads have an element of that, but are more about the players who are considered the next in line for the senior England teams, as well as the players who are looking to establish themselves in those teams.
“With the Ashes next summer, we are keen to see some valuable top-level competitive game time against India’s next best for several players who will be in contention for selection next year, particularly in the 50-over and 4-day games.
“We head to India with strong ambitions to be successful, knowing that a tour to India is always a tough assignment. They toured the UK in the summer and had some success over here so we know it will be a challenge that we are looking forward to meeting head on.”
The captains for each of the squads will be named at a later date, and selectors have also named six players who are included in this winter’s England Women Performance Programme.
England Women A v India Women A Tour Schedule:
T20s
30th Nov, MCA Stadium, Pune
3rd Dec, MCA Stadium, Pune
5th Dec, MCA Stadium, Pune
50-overs
8th Dec, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
11th Dec, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
14th Dec, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
4-Day game
19th – 22nd Dec, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
England Women Performance Programme:
Niamh Holland (Somerset), Emma Jones (The Blaze), Cassidy McCarthy (The Blaze), Davina Perrin (Warwickshire), Jemima Spence (Surrey), Grace Thompson (Durham)