Rebecca Grundy and Laura Marsh have been selected in the England squad for the tour of New Zealand, described as a key series for the women’s side during a “hugely important” year.
The spinner Grundy and the all-rounder Marsh return following respective groin and shoulder injuries. They were named in a 15-player squad for the tour which starts on 11 February and features five ODI’s and three Twenty20 matches.
It is Marsh’s first involvement for England since 2013; Warwickshire’s Grundy impressed during last year’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
Charlotte Edwards will again captain the side having spent the winter playing state cricket in Australia, as did the England vice-captain, Heather Knight, and the wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor.
Edwards is excited by the prospect of having a full-strength squad to select from. “We’ve been plagued by injuries over the last three or four years and it is the first time we have had everyone fully fit. It’s a good place to be as a squad. That’s a testament to the professional contracts and the work of our medical team.
“Mentally and physically I feel in a really good place. The first three games are must-win for us and there is an opportunity towards the end of the tour to have one eye on the Ashes and give some players an opportunity to see what they can do.”
The opening three ODIs carry an extra significance as they comprise England’s second round of fixtures in the new International Cricket Council Women’s Championship. Those matches will be played at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui (11, 13, 15 Feb) before two back-to-back T20s in Whangarei (19 and 20 Feb)and the three remaining games in Lincoln (24, 26, 28 Feb).
The England and Wales Cricket Board’s head of women’s cricket, Clare Connor, described the tour as crucial preparation for the home series against Australia, which begins on 21 July.
“This is one of the strongest squads that we have been able to name for a while and I am especially pleased to see Laura Marsh and Rebecca Grundy return to international duty, following their extended absences through injury,” she said.
“This year is hugely important for England women, with the home women’s Ashes series fast approaching.
However, in respect of the ICC’s Women’s Championship and ultimately qualification for the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup in England, this series against New Zealand carries exactly the same significance as the series against Australia in July.”
England squad to tour New Zealand
Charlotte Edwards (capt, Kent), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Kathryn Cross (Lancashire), Lydia Greenway (Kent), Rebecca Grundy (Warwicks), Jenny Gunn (Notts), Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire), Amy Jones (Warwicks), Heather Knight (vice-capt, Berkshire), Laura Marsh (Kent), Natalie Sciver (Surrey), Anya Shrubsole (Somerset), Sarah Taylor (Sussex), Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire), Danielle Wyatt (Notts)
Schedule
11 Feb 1st ODI (Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui)
13 Feb 2nd ODI (Bay Oval)
15 Feb 3rd ODI (Bay Oval) 19 Feb 1st T20 (Cobham Oval, Whangarei)
20 Feb 2nd T20 (Cobham Oval)
24 Feb 3rd T20 (Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln)
26 Feb 4th ODI (Bert Sutcliffe Oval) 28 Feb 5th ODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval)
