England's Women's Cricket team is gearing up for an exciting home series against India, and the squad announcement has brought welcome news for fans: Sophie Ecclestone is back. The series, comprising five T20 Internationals and three ODIs, begins on June 28th, and Ecclestone's return bolsters the team's confidence after their recent dominant performance against the West Indies.
Ecclestone's inclusion in the 14-member squad is a significant boost. Ranked among the top bowlers in the world, she had been temporarily sidelined to prioritize her well-being and recover from a quad injury. This injury, coupled with a previous knee issue, had kept her out of domestic cricket and the successful series against the West Indies. England's head coach, Charlotte Edwards, fully supported Ecclestone's decision to take a break, emphasizing the importance of both physical and mental health. Edwards stated that the primary focus was to ensure Ecclestone felt "in a better place" before returning to the field.
The decision to include Ecclestone in the squad signals her successful recovery and readiness to compete at the international level. Her experience and skill as a left-arm spinner are invaluable to the team. Ecclestone's stats speak for themselves such as her remarkable 137 wickets in T20Is, highlighting her importance to England's bowling attack.
While Ecclestone's return is celebrated, it comes at the expense of leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, who misses out on the squad selection. Coach Edwards acknowledged the tough decision, stating that while they are blessed with a strong group of spinners, they unfortunately can't all play. This provides Glenn with an opportunity to return to The Blaze and gain competitive experience in the Vitality Blast.
Lauren Filer also makes a comeback to the squad, replacing Heather Knight, who is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the T20I series against the West Indies.
The England Women's T20 squad to face India is as follows: Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong.
Edwards expressed her excitement about the upcoming series against India, recognizing them as one of the best sides in the world. She believes that the five-match series will provide a significant test for her team and contribute to their preparation for the home ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
The series against India holds particular significance as it marks Ecclestone's first international appearance for England since the Ashes defeat in Australia in January. It also follows an incident during that series where Ecclestone declined a TV interview with former teammate Alex Hartley.
With Ecclestone back in the fold, England aims to fine-tune their strategies and solidify their team composition. The T20 series promises to be a thrilling encounter between two strong teams, providing fans with a taste of what to expect at the upcoming World Cup.
