England has revealed its squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates in October. The team includes 11 of the 15 players who made it to the semi-finals in last year’s tournament in South Africa.
Linsey Smith, a 29-year-old spinner who rejoined the international squad in March after nearly five years away, has earned her place in the World Cup lineup. Smith, whose last World Cup experience was in 2018, will be joined by all-rounder Freya Kemp, who is a decade younger. Head coach Jon Lewis remains optimistic about the team’s prospects, even though they were caught off guard by last week’s decision to relocate the tournament from Bangladesh.
Lewis admitted that they had thoroughly prepared for the conditions in Bangladesh, and the change in venue came as a surprise. However, he expressed confidence in the team’s readiness, believing they have a strong chance to perform well. He added that there is much more potential in this team than has been realised since their last World Cup victory seven years ago.
Bess Heath has been named as the backup wicketkeeper and, along with Kemp, who recently recovered from a back injury, will also be part of the squad for the upcoming one-day international series in Ireland. These two players are the only ones selected for both squads.
Lewis described Heath and Kemp as two young, exciting talents and emphasised the importance of giving them opportunities to play. He noted that allowing Heath to keep wickets in an England shirt will help her become more comfortable in the role, while Kemp was given the chance to regain her rhythm after a disappointing performance in The Hundred.
Fast bowler Lauren Filer did not make the World Cup squad, although she will participate in the pre-tournament training camp in Abu Dhabi. Lewis explained that the conditions in the UAE are expected to favour spinners, who will likely carry the bulk of the workload.
Lewis also highlighted the promising future for England’s young fast bowlers, who he believes will play a crucial role in the team’s next evolution. While experienced players often carry the team in major tournaments, Lewis noted that the younger players are starting to make their mark on international cricket and take on match-defining roles.