England women’s squad announced for New Zealand series

Selectors today named a 15-player squad for England women’s tour of New Zealand in February 2012. The squad once again includes five Kent women; Charlotte Edwards (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lydia Greenway, Laura Marsh and Susie Rowe.

Following two unbeaten series against South Africa in October, the squad willsee the addition of Somerset’s Anya Shrubsole as they face New Zealand women in the New Year.

Beth Morgan also returns to the England set up after fully recovering from shoulder surgery and being called up to replace Katherine Brunt during the South Africa series.

Holly Colvin remains unavailable for selection due to university commitments whilst Katherine Brunt will be rested and remain in England, giving young seam bowlers Georgia Elwiss and Anya Shrubsole an opportunity to impress.

England will play a five match Twenty20 series and three One Day Internationals against New Zealand women. The first three Twenty20 matches will be televised on Sky Sports and be played directly before New Zealand men take on South Africa.

ECB Head of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said: “The England women’s team has had an exceptional 2011 and their dominance continued during their recent, unbeaten tour to South Africa. It was especially pleasing to see younger players taking their opportunities and senior players contributing with match-winning performances.

“The next eighteen months provides an exciting schedule for international women’s cricket with the ICC World Twenty20 in September 2012 and the ICC Women's World Cup in 2013.After their month tour of New Zealand the squad will start preparations for two NatWest series against India** and a later NatWest T20 series against the West Indies in September, all ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 which takes place alongside the men’s event in Sri Lanka.

“The upcoming tour to New Zealand will provide both formats of limited overs cricket and give the players every opportunity to impress and retain their place for the upcoming ICC global events.I wish the entire tour party every success.”

England women squad

Charlotte Edwards (captain) (Kent)

Jenny Gunn (Yorkshire)

Tammy Beaumont (Kent)

Arran Brindle (Sussex)

Georgia Elwiss (Sussex)

Lydia Greenway (Kent)

Isa Guha (Berkshire)

Danni Hazel (Yorkshire)

Heather Knight (Berkshire)

Laura Marsh (Kent)

Beth Morgan (Middlesex)

Susie Rowe (Kent)

Anya Shrubsole (Somerset)

Sarah Taylor (Sussex)

Danni Wyatt (Staffordshire)

Schedule

Friday 17 February, 1^st T20 Westpac Stadium, Wellington (before New Zealand men v South Africa)

Sunday 19 February, 2^nd T20 Seddon Park, Hamilton (before New Zealand men v South Africa)

Wednesday 2 February, 3^rd T20 Eden Park, Auckland (before New Zealand men v South Africa)

Saturday 25 February, 4^th T20 Queens Park, Invercargill

Sunday 26 February, 5^th T20 Queens Park, Invercargill

Thursday 1 March, 1^st ODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University

Saturday 3 March, 2^nd ODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University

Monday 5 March, 3^rd ODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University