Baker and Wong named in England A IT20 series

Hannah Baker and Issy Wong have been named in an England Women A squad to take on India A in their forthcoming IT20 series. 

The Warwickshire and Central Sparks duo are part of a 13-player group that will travel to India on Sunday.

After a fortnight-long training camp in Oman, the squad will fine-tune their preparations in Mumbai ahead of three IT20 fixtures taking place on Wednesday 29 November, Friday 1 December and Sunday 3 December at the Wankhede Stadium. 

Alice Davidson-Richards withdrew from the squad and remained in the UK following a family bereavement while Thunder’s Liberty Heap has returned home after fracturing her clavicle. She will see a specialist to plan next stages of her treatment. 

Tash Farrant will remain in Oman with the England Women senior group as she continues her return to competitive bowling.

Leading the England Women A squad as head coach for the A series in India, as he has done across the preparation phase in Oman, is fielding and wicket keeping performance coach Michael Bates. 

England Women A squad to play India A 

Hollie Armitage (Northern Diamonds), 
Hannah Baker (Central Sparks)
Charlie Dean (captain; Southern Vipers)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Mahika Gaur (Thunder)
Kirstie Gordon (The Blaze)
Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers)
Ryana MacDonald-Gay (South East Stars)
Grace Scrivens (Sunrisers)
Seren Smale (Thunder)
Rhianna Southby (Southern Vipers)
Mady Villiers (Sunrisers)
Issy Wong (Central Sparks)

Meanwhile, Georgia Davis, Grace Potts (both Central Sparks), Kalea Moore (South East Stars) and Sophie Munro (The Blaze) will remain in Oman to train with the England Women senior group to continue to build on their development experiences before returning to the UK on 2 December. 

England Women A head coach Michael Bates said: “We’re all thoroughly looking forward to the forthcoming T20 fixtures in India.

“We’ve enjoyed a very productive camp in Oman; the group have trained well, worked hard and really come together as a team.

“It’s been brilliant exposure for the England Women A players to have the opportunity to work alongside the England Women performance coaches as well as integrating with the senior players. It’s brought another element to our preparation and has enhanced the growth of the group.

 “These three fixtures against India A will be a great way of testing our skills and our ability to compete and will undoubtedly provide another exciting learning opportunity for the players.”