England women's cricket team shift training camp to South Africa after UAE cancellation
London, March 7
England Women's cricket team will travel to South Africa for a training camp after their planned preparatory tour to Abu Dhabi was cancelled due to the security situation in the Middle-East region.
A group of 30 players will assemble in Pretoria, where they will be divided into two squads for a five-match intra-squad series scheduled between March 10 and March 27. The squads have been named Team Brittin and Team Heyhoe-Flint in honour of former England cricketers Jan Brittin and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, both of whom lifted the Women's World Cup on home soil, reported ESPNcricinfo.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will lead Team Brittin, which will be coached by England Women assistant coach Jon Lewis. Vice-captain Charlie Dean will captain Team Heyhoe-Flint, coached by assistant coach Luke Williams.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards will work with both teams during the camp and said the series will be a crucial opportunity for players to impress selectors ahead of the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which England will host later this year.
Eight members of the touring group are yet to make their senior debut for England. Among them is 19-year-old opener Davina Perrin, who gained attention after scoring a rapid 43-ball century for Northern Superchargers during last year's The Hundred.
Young left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who impressed in the same tournament with an economy rate of 5.75 and 11 wickets, has also been included.
Former England Under-19 captain Grace Scrivens is part of the squad alongside Alexa Stonehouse, Grace Potts and Jodi Grewcock. Lancashire captain Ellie Threlkeld and wicketkeeper-batter Rhianna Southby have also been selected.
However, leg-spinner Sarah Glenn has been ruled out of the camp after fracturing a finger during training in February.
The upcoming camp will be England's second stint in South Africa this year, following earlier skills-based training trips to Oman in January and Stellenbosch last month. According to Edwards, the Pretoria series is designed to add a stronger competitive element to the team's preparations ahead of a busy international season.
England are scheduled to host New Zealand and India in white-ball series before the Women's T20 World Cup, which will be held from June 12 to July 5. The team will also play India in a historic women's Test match at Lord's later in the season.
Team Heyhoe Flint: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean (capt), Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Alexa Stonehouse, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Team Brittin: Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Freya Kemp, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Paige Scholfield, Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Linsey Smith, Rhianna Southby, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see the new talent like Davina Perrin getting a chance. England's domestic structure, like The Hundred, seems to be identifying young stars effectively. We need our WPL to do the same for India – unearth more Jemimahs and Shafalis. The future is bright for women's cricket globally!
They are hosting the World Cup later this year, so this prep is crucial. But honestly, all this talk about England and South Africa... my main focus is on the India tour of England! A historic women's Test at Lord's? That's huge. Hope our girls get proper red-ball practice too. Can't wait!
As a cricket fan living in India, I appreciate the depth England is building. Naming the teams after legends like Heyhoe-Flint is a nice touch, honoring history. But the real test will be against teams like India and Australia. Their batting needs to be more consistent under pressure.
Good planning, but losing Sarah Glenn is a blow. Spin will be key in English conditions during the World Cup. On another note, the schedule is packed! Hosting NZ, India, and then the WC. Hope the players manage the workload. Our BCCI should also ensure the Indian team isn't over-toured before big events.
Safety first, absolutely the right call to move the camp. South Africa offers good competitive pitches too. Excited to see how the young players perform. The women's game is evolving so fast! Just hope the broadcasters in India pick up all these England home series so we can watch. 🤞
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