Durham’s Lauren Filer and Mady Villiers will head to South Africa later this month as the selection race for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup takes a step forward.
The England Women’s selectors have named two 15-strong squads for a five-game intra-squad series in Pretoria in March in preparation for the Women’s World Cup in England and Wales.
The trip had been due to take place in Abu Dhabi, but the political situation has necessitated the sourcing of Pretoria as a new destination.
The two teams will be named after Jan Brittin and Rachael Heyhoe Flint, two legends of English cricket who both lifted a World Cup trophy on home soil. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will lead Team Brittin, with vice-captain Charlie Dean taking charge of Team Heyhoe Flint.
Jon JJ Lewis will coach Team Brittin and Luke Williams will coach Team Heyhoe Flint, with Head Coach Charlotte Edwards working across both squads.
There are eight players on the tour yet to make an England appearance, with Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Jodi Grewcock, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Alexa Stonehouse, Davina Perrin, Rhianna Southby and Ellie Threlkeld all getting their chance to impress the England selectors.
Head Coach Charlotte Edwards said: “This is a big opportunity for every player involved to put their hand up and demonstrate that they’re an invaluable part of our World Cup plans.
“It’s the same chance for every player, whether they’re new to the team or they’ve played 100 games. We want to use this series as a chance to stretch ourselves and put ourselves under pressure in competitive match situations.
“We’ve had two training camps this year, in Oman and Stellenbosch, which focused on skills. Adding a more competitive element is our next step and I’m really pleased with how the group is coming along ahead of a massive summer.”
Team Heyhoe Flint (Coach: Luke Williams)
Em Arlott (Warwickshire), Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze), Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Surrey), Charlie Dean (Somerset, captain), Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire), Mahika Gaur (Lancashire), Dani Gibson (Somerset), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Amy Jones (Warwickshire), Heather Knight (Somerset), Emma Lamb (Lancashire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Grace Scrivens (Essex), Alexa Stonehouse (Surrey/Warwickshire), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey)
Team Brittin (Coach: Jon JJ Lewis)
Lauren Bell (Hampshire), Maia Bouchier (Hampshire), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Sophia Dunkley (Surrey), Lauren Filer (Durham), Freya Kemp (Hampshire), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Davina Perrin (Warwickshire), Paige Scholfield (Surrey), Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze, captain), Linsey Smith (Hampshire), Rhianna Southby (Hampshire), Ellie Threlkeld (Lancashire), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)