The England Women's Selectors have named a squad of 16 for the upcoming series against New Zealand, a trip that will see England Women play three IT20s and three ODIs against the White Ferns.
Included within the squad are two Sunrisers players, Mady Villiers and Fran Wilson, who join Heather Knight’s squad for the six match tour down under
Lisa Keightley and her team fly to New Zealand on January 24 ahead of fixtures across February and March, where, upon arrival, the group will quarantine for 14 days in line with the guidelines set in place by the New Zealand Government. During this time, Covid testing protocols will be in place to allow the group to train.
Director of England Women's Cricket, Jonathan Finch, said:
"We're hugely excited about getting over to New Zealand and maintaining our commitment to play international cricket despite these challenging times.
"We have a really important 24 months in front of us with two ICC Global Events, the Women’s Ashes and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Our ambition is to be successful across all these events and this tour is the first step towards achieving that.
"2020 has provided many challenges, but under the leadership of Lisa and Heather we have a group of players who are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Danni Warren, Regional Director of Women’s Cricket for Sunrisers - London and East Region added:
“Everyone at Sunrisers is incredibly proud of Mady and Fran, and all they continue to achieve for England Women. It is always amazing news when the hard work that you see players put in away from the spotlight pays off with selection, and given the challenging times at present this news is a very welcome boost for all associated with Sunrisers.
“Both Mady and Fran head over to NZ with the best wishes of their teammates, coaches and all fans of cricket across the Sunrisers region. We will be cheering them on and no doubt a lot of people will be inspired by following how they go. A few late nights/early mornings await over the coming months!”
England Women’s squad
Heather Knight (Western Storm, cap)
Tammy Beaumont (Lightning)
Katherine Brunt (Northern Diamonds)
Kate Cross (Thunder)
Freya Davies (South East Stars)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
Georgia Elwiss (Southern Vipers)
Tash Farrant (South East Stars)
Sarah Glenn (Central Sparks)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Nat Sciver (Northern Diamonds, vice cap)
Mady Villiers (Sunrisers)
Fran Wilson (Sunrisers)
Lauren Winfield-Hill (Northern Diamonds)
Danni Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
ODI Series
Tuesday February 23: 1st ODI, New Zealand v England (Hagley Oval, 1am GMT)
Friday February 26: 2nd ODI, New Zealand v England (University of Otago Oval, 10pm GMT)
Sunday February 28: 3rd ODI, New Zealand v England (University of Otago Oval, 10pm GMT)
IT20 Series
Wednesday March 3: 1st IT20, New Zealand v England (Sky Stadium, 2am GMT)
Friday March 5: 2nd IT20, New Zealand v England (Eden Park, 2am GMT)
Sunday March 7: 3rd IT20, New Zealand v England (Bay Oval, 11pm GMT)