Beaumont and Marsh in England squad for Pakistan ODI series

Kent's Tammy Beaumont and Laura Marsh feature in a 15-strong England women’s squad for the first two Royal London One-Day Internationals (ODI) against Pakistan next week.

Monday (20June) will mark the beginning of a new era for the side, as Heather Knight becomes the 21^st captain of the England women’s team in the first encounter of the three-match 50-over series against Pakistan, starting at Leicestershire’s Fischer County Ground.

Knight will be able to call on a world-class bowling attack, led by newly appointed vice-captain, Anya Shrubsole, and Yorkshire’s Katherine Brunt, who will be striving for an early breakthrough in Leicester to record her 100^th ODI wicket.

Middlesex left-arm spinner Alex Hartley is called-up from the England Women’s Academy (EWA) and Warwickshire wicket-keeper batsman Amy Jones will be looking to seize her opportunity behind the stumps during this Royal London ODI series, with top-order batsman Lauren Winfield, also offering a second keeping option.

Fran Wilson will present another batting option for Knight and England Women’s Head Coach, Mark Robinson, having been recalled to the England squad following a number of strong performances for Middlesex and as captain of the EWA.

Right-arm seamer Beth Langston, has been ruled out of selection for the three-match Royal London ODI series due to an ankle injury.

England Women’s Head Coach, Mark Robinson, said:“Monday is going to be a very proud day for our new captain and vice-captain, Heather Knight and Anya Shrubsole.

"Under their leadership we will start a new chapter for the England women’s team, beginning with the three-match Royal London ODI series against a Pakistan side that cannot be underestimated.

"Pakistan showed everyone during the ICC World Twenty20 how dangerous they can be, when they beat the hosts India on their own patch. They represent a fresh challenge that as a squad we can’t wait to get out there and tackle.

“Congratulations to Alex Hartley on earning her first call-up to an England squad. Alex has worked incredibly hard at her game over the last 12-18 months, and I have been very impressed with her skill as a left-arm spinner in the time that I have been working with her.”

England women’s squad for the third Royal London ODI against Pakistan in Taunton on Monday 27^th June, will be named following the second match in Worcester.

Squad: Heather Knight (Berkshire, captain), Anya Shrubsole (Somerset, vice-captain), Tammy Beaumont (Kent), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Kate Cross (Lancashire), Georgia Elwiss (Sussex), Jenny Gunn (Warwickshire), Alexandra Hartley (Middlesex), Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire), Amy Jones (Warwickshire, wkt), Laura Marsh (Kent), Natalie Sciver (Surrey), Fran Wilson (Middlesex), Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire), Danielle Wyatt (Sussex).