A brand-new chapter in English women’s cricket is underway with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiling the squads for the much-anticipated white-ball series against the West Indies—ushering in the leadership of newly appointed captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and head coach Charlotte Edwards.
The T20Is begin on 21 May at Canterbury, launching Sciver-Brunt’s journey as full-time skipper and Edwards’ first outing as England head coach. A number of familiar faces return, while a few emerging stars and comeback candidates have earned deserved call-ups after eye-catching domestic performances.
Compared to the 2025 Ashes squads, the West Indies series sees Sophie Ecclestone, Maia Bouchier, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Lauren Filer, and Bess Heath missing out. Replacing them are Emily Arlott, Alice Davidson-Richards, Emma Lamb, Mahika Gaur, Issy Wong, and Paige Scholfield, who come in on the back of strong domestic performances and promising recent form.
Emily Arlott headlines the fresh selections. She earns her place in both squads and is on the cusp of her international debut. Arlott’s performances have been electric, smashing a century while batting at number seven against Essex and collecting 13 wickets in the ongoing One Day Cup.
Issy Wong, makes her return to the T20I squad. She shone on the England Women A tour of Australia and backed that up with impressive outings in county cricket.
The ODI squad sees the welcome return of Alice Davidson-Richards and Emma Lamb. Davidson-Richards last represented England in an ODI back in September 2023 against Sri Lanka. Lamb, meanwhile, has been in red-hot form—topping the national run charts, 493 runs in 7 One Day outings, and snaring 12 wickets in just six games for Lancashire.
Another notable pick is Linsey Smith, left-arm spinner, who currently leads the wicket-taking charts in the One Day Cup. She joins both squads alongside consistent top-order batter Tammy Beaumont.
Charlotte Edwards, embarking on her tenure as England Women’s head coach, spoke about the criteria behind the selections.
Introducing her assessment, she said, “We have selected squads on the back of strong performances and form in the opening rounds of the One Day Cup. That was the challenge to the players, and I’ve been so impressed by what I’ve seen across the competition.”
She elaborated further on the blend of form and opportunity, “It’s great to be able to reward that form, and to see one or two new faces in the squad, as well as the return of a few others. I’m sure they’ll be delighted, and they can be proud of what they’ve done in order to be selected.”
There are, however, several absences from the Ashes squad due to injury or fitness concerns. Sophie Ecclestone, recovering from a knee injury, has only just returned to Lancashire and wasn’t deemed ready for international duty.
Addressing her omission, Edwards said, “Following her knee injury, Sophie Ecclestone is physically not quite at 100% yet. She’s been rehabbing and working hard but she’s only just got back on the park for Lancashire, so she doesn’t have enough cricket under her belt to be ready for this series.”
All-rounders Freya Kemp (back injury) and Danielle Gibson (stress fracture) remain sidelined. Meanwhile, Lauren Filer’s knee rehab is progressing well, though her return will be closely monitored going forward.
Edwards also touched upon the exclusion of Maia Bouchier, who had featured prominently during the Ashes.
She stated, “Maia Bouchier misses out having been a part of the Ashes series, Maia’s talent is there for all to see and the challenge to her is to go and make consistent match-winning contributions for Hampshire in domestic cricket. It’s the same for any player who’d be disappointed to not be a part of these squads.”
England’s squads retain key senior figures including Heather Knight, Lauren Bell, Sophia Dunkley, Amy Jones, Sarah Glenn, Charlie Dean, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge. These experienced campaigners will help guide newer faces and ensure stability in both formats.
In a move that underlines the ECB’s strategic intent, former England batter Lydia Greenway has been named the new National Selector. She joins Charlotte Edwards, Managing Director Clare Connor, and Performance Director Jonathan Finch on the four-person selection panel and played an advisory role in shaping this squad.
Looking ahead to the series and what lies beyond, Edwards emphasized the team’s main focus.
She said, “We are all really looking forward to meeting up in Canterbury and can’t wait to take to the field in front of our supporters.”
And in a clear declaration of England’s intentions,“We are really excited for the summer ahead. Our first priority is to win games of cricket. That’s how we’re judged and that’s our first aim, starting with this white-ball series against the West Indies.”
England Women’s T20I Squad for West Indies Series:
Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
England Women’s ODI Squad for West Indies Series:
Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Alice Davidson-Richards, Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Mahika Gaur, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith
Series Fixtures – England Women v West Indies (Timings in IST)
T20I Series
1st T20I: 22 May – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury – 00:00 IST
2nd T20I: 24 May – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove – 00:05 IST
3rd T20I: 26 May – The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford – 20:00 IST
ODI Series
1st ODI: 30 May – The County Ground, Derby – 18:30 IST
2nd ODI: 4 June – Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester – 18:30 IST
3rd ODI: 7 June – Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton – 16:30 IST
