England Women to Face Ireland with Fresh Faces in ODI and T20I Series

England Women will tour Ireland for a three-match ODI and two-game T20I series beginning September 7. Kate Cross will captain in place of Heather Knight. New talents like Hannah Baker and Mady Villiers are set for debuts, while Jon Lewis will coach the team.

England Women will take on Ireland in a three-match ODI series and two-game T20I series starting September 7. Kate Cross is set to captain England during their white-ball tour of Ireland, stepping in for regular skipper Heather Knight, who along with several senior players is being rested, as per the ICC.

This rest period paves the way for fresh faces. Hannah Baker, Georgia Davis, Charis Pavely, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Paige Scholfield, Georgia Adams, and Seren Smale are all poised to make their senior international debuts. The squad also sees the return of Mady Villiers, making her first international appearance since 2021, and Mahika Gaur, who missed the home series against New Zealand due to a side strain.

Former England international Jon Lewis, who has led the England A squads over the past year, will serve as head coach for the tour, supported by Courtney Winfield-Hill and Chris Liddle. Director of England Women's Cricket Jonathan Finch said, as quoted by ICC, "Following a busy period, we are looking forward to finishing off our summer with the tour to Ireland."

"The squad has an exciting mix of experienced international players, returning players, and debutants. This strong squad benefits from a robust domestic game," Finch added. "Ireland Women, coming off a significant series win against Sri Lanka, will pose a significant challenge. It's always special to see players make their debut, and seven could do so on this tour," the director concluded.

ODI squad: Kate Cross (captain), Hollie Armitage, Hannah Baker, Tammy Beaumont, Georgia Davis, Lauren Filer, Bess Heath, Freya Kemp, Emma Lamb, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Paige Scholfield, Bryony Smith, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.

T20I squad: Kate Cross (captain), Georgia Adams, Hollie Armitage, Hannah Baker, Tammy Beaumont, Mahika Gaur, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Charis Pavely, Paige Scholfield, Seren Smale, Bryony Smith, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)