England’s women’s cricket team has moved its T20 World Cup preparatory camp to South Africa after cancelling plans to train in Abu Dhabi due to security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Around 30 players will now gather in Pretoria for the camp. They will be split into two squads of 15 each for a five-match intra-squad series scheduled from March 10 to 27.
The two teams are named after former England players Jan Brittin and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, who were part of World Cup-winning sides on home soil.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will lead Team Brittin. The side will be coached by former Durham batter and England Women assistant coach Jon Lewis. Vice-captain Charlie Dean will captain Team Heyhoe-Flint, with assistant coach Luke Williams in charge of the team.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards will oversee both squads during the camp. She said the series will help players compete for places in the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup at home.
“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,” Edwards said in a release, as cited by news agency PTI.
“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.”
This will be England’s second training camp in South Africa this year after skill-focused camps in Oman in January and Stellenbosch last month.
England are scheduled to host New Zealand and India in white-ball series before the T20 World Cup, which will be held from June 12 to July 5. They will then play India in a women’s Test at Lord’s.
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.
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