Sarah Glenn opts out, Lauren Bell, Mady Villiers named as travelling reserves
ESPNcricinfo staff10-Feb-2022Newcomers Charlie Dean and Emma Lamb have made it to England’s 17-player touring party for the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup, scheduled to begin on March 4.The Heather Knight-led squad also includes travelling reserves in the young right-arm fast bowler Lauren Bell and spin-bowling allrounder Mady Villiers, who was part of the Ashes.Related
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Kate Cross, Katherine Brunt, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole and Freya Davies will provide the pace-bowling options, alongside Tash Farrant, who recently earned a place back on the list of centrally contracted England players after two years on the fringes.Sophie Ecclestone will spearhead the spin department with Dean as the second-choice. The 20-year-old Southern Vipers offspinner Dean made her international debut against New Zealand over the English summer, featuring in all five ODIs. In just her second match at this level, she claimed 4 for 36 to help England to victory. She has picked up 10 wickets in seven ODIs so far.Lamb, who made her international debut during the Ashes where she was out for a duck and was a part of England A’s squad along with Bell, will be the back-up opener to Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield-Hill.England have omitted batter Maia Bouchier from the squad that toured Australia for the Ashes, while legspinner Sarah Glenn opted not to make herself available, after initially being chosen as a travelling reserve.”All players and staff were asked to opt in to the tournament having fully considered the quarantine period and living protocols in place after quarantine,” a team spokesperson said. “The well-being of our players and staff is our number one priority and we support Sarah in this decision.”Jonathan Finch, director of England women’s cricket, said that the World Cup provides a chance to “refocus our intentions immediately after the disappointment” and “embrace the challenge of a global event”.”The England Women’s A series that ran alongside the Ashes enabled a wider group of players to compete for a place in the squad which has made for some tough calls on selection,” Finch said. “Emma Lamb, a consistent performer across domestic cricket, comes into the squad after making her international debut last summer and offers multiple options with the bat and as an allrounder with her offspin bowling.”The defending champions enter the global event on the back of a 3-0 loss to Australia in the ODI leg of the Ashes and will open their World Cup campaign against the same opponent on March 5 in Hamilton.Squad: Heather Knight (Capt), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Amy Jones (wk), Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt. Travelling reserves: Lauren Bell, Mady Villiers.