Academy scholar Natasha Farrant named in England Women’s squad for Women’s Ashes Series

Selectors have named Kent Cricket Academy scholar, Natasha Farrant and four other Kent women in an initial 18-player England Women’s squad for the 2013 Women’s Ashes Series.

Farrant made her England Women's debut last week, taking two scalps in an over, en route to figures of 2-15 from four as England crushed Pakistan with a 70-run win in the first of their two NatWest Twenty20 internationals.

Farrant is joined in the squad by four other Kent women, captain Charlotte Edwards, and Tammy Beaumont, Lydia Greenway and Laura Marsh – who returns to the initial squad having missed out on the recent NatWest Women’s International matches due to continuing rehabilitation from injuries.

The final squad for each format of the Women’s Ashes Series will be reduced to 15 players in early August ahead of the Series, which commences with the Test match at Wormsley Cricket Ground on August 11.

The 2013 Women’s Ashes Series will comprise one Test match, three NatWest Women’s One-Day Internationals and three NatWest Women’s International Twenty20 matches. Points will be allocated to each format – the winners of the Test will be awarded six points; two points to the winners of each limited overs matches. The team that accrues the most points across all formats will win the Women’s Ashes Series and be presented with the Women’s Ashes trophy.

Head of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said: "It is pleasing to see such healthy competition for places ahead of the Women’s Ashes Series. Exciting young players from the England Women's Academy have stepped up in to the England squad in the recent internationals against Pakistan and have made an outstanding contribution on and off the pitch. One highlight being Natalie Sciver's 3-28 in just her second ODI.

“This is an exciting time for all players, both the young and experienced, who will be hoping to have the honour of taking on Australia in the Women’s Ashes Series and I am delighted that our talent pipeline is providing selectors with some really tough decisions.”

ECB.co.uk will have live score updates and video highlights of every day’s play with BBC radio also covering all games. The three NatWest Women’s International T20 matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports with the second and third matches at Southampton and Durham being played directly before England men play Australia.

England Women’s Ashes squad
Charlotte Edwards (Kent) (Captain)

Tammy Beaumont (Kent)

Arran Brindle (Sussex)

Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire)

Holly Colvin (Sussex)

Georgia Elwiss (Sussex)

Natasha Farrant (Kent)

Lydia Greenway (Kent)

Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire)

Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire)

Amy Jones (Warwickshire)

Heather Knight (Berkshire)

Laura Marsh (Kent)

Natalie Sciver (Surrey)

Anya Shrubsole (Somerset)

Sarah Taylor (Sussex)

Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire)

Danielle Wyatt (Nottinghamshire)

England Women’s Ashes Series, England Women v Australia Women

August 11^th-14^th Test match Wormsley Cricket Ground, Buckinghamshire 11.00am

August 20^th 1^st ODI Lord’s 10.45
August 23^rd 2^nd ODI TheBrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, Hove 10.45am
August 25^th 3^rd ODI TheBrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, Hove 10.45am

August 27^th 1^st T20IThe Ford County Ground, Chelmsford* 7.00pm
August 29^th 2^nd T20IAgeas Bowl, Southampton*+ 2.15pm
August 31^st 3^rd T20IEmirates Durham ICG*+ 10.15am
*+ Televised double-headers with England men

*Televised match

England Women’s fixtures, results and squad information can be found at www.ecb.co.uk/englandwomen