Seamer defeated the Southern Vipers with a hat-trick at the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy before their first international call-up; Natasha Farrant is also included in the 17-man squad to face India, while Nat Sciver is confirmed as Heather Knight’s vice captain in all formats.
Seamer Emily Arlott in action for Central Sparks at the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (Image by Laura Malkin)
Emily Arlott, uncovered, has been included in England’s 17-woman squad for the Test against India, just days after landing a hat-trick for Central Sparks.
Seamer Arlott, 23, bagged 5-29, including four wickets in one over, off England head coach Lisa Keightley on Saturday when Sparks dismantled defending champion Southern Vipers at the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
She joins the squad for the Test, which can be seen live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.30am on Wednesday June 16, by her bowling partner Natasha Farrant, who returned to the international picture on the tour from New Zealand to earlier this year having secured one of 41 full-time regional contracts introduced in women’s football in 2020.
Seamer Anya Shrubsole missed the trip against the White Ferns after suffering a knee injury and thus handed over the vice-captaincy to Nat Sciver, who has now been confirmed as Heather Knight’s number two in all forms of international cricket.
The off-roader stepped in as captain of the injured Knight when the England women managed a 3-0 T20 series sweep over New Zealand in March after winning the ODI series 2-1.
In announcing the team, Keightley said: “It has been difficult choosing a team given the balance of needing coverage in a COVID world while wanting to give players the greatest possible opportunity to play cricket.
“We want the players to have opportunities in the middle, so we are looking to reduce our numbers a bit before the Test to give that opportunity to the non-selected players.
“I am very excited for the summer ahead. We have been working very hard for the last 10 weeks, India is a strong side and it is the beginning of a two year journey for us that includes two ICC World Cups, an Ashes and the Commonwealth Games “.
The test team is likely to be cut before the test match to allow unselected players to play in the next round of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
England Women Squad: Heather Knight (cap), Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (Vice President), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson and Lauren Winfield-Hill
Watch the England Women vs. India Women event live on Sky Sports Cricket starting at 10.30am. M. From Wednesday June 16.
