Charlie Dean will captain England Women in three ODIs against Ireland in September, bringing an impressive summer of leadership to a close for the Somerset all-rounder.
Dean took charge at the start of the season in an ODI series against New Zealand when Nat Sciver-Brunt was injured. She will now round things off with three more ODIs against one of England’s nearest neighbours.
She will captain a strong and forward-looking 15-player squad that includes both players with plenty of international experience and others taking their earliest steps at the highest level.
Seam bowler Grace Potts and keeper batter Kira Chathli are the only two uncapped players named, although both have been part of England squads this summer. They are joined by England A teammate and all-rounder Charis Pavely, who has played two IT20s but is looking for an ODI debut in this series.
Ryana MacDonald-Gay is also returning to an England squad for the first time since recovering from a lower back injury last year. She has consistently performed well for Surrey and the Manchester Super Giants this season.
Eight players selected were involved in the recent second-placed finish in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, including left arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who will be hoping to add to the two ODI appearances she made against New Zealand.
Alice Capsey, reserve wicket-keeper during that tournament, will take the gloves in the absence of Amy Jones. Jones is one of five senior players not selected for this series in order to widen and deepen the pool of players for England Women in ODI cricket. Also not selected were captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, both managing fitness and recovery, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards said: “It has been an incredible summer for Women’s Cricket already, and these three Metro Bank ODI matches against Ireland make up an important series for us to complete our summer.
“The focus has rightly been on T20 cricket for much of this year, but with a memorable run to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final now behind us, this is a chance for players to display their 50-over skills and bank some valuable experience for the future.
“We have got plenty of exciting and talented cricketers in our game and this is an opportunity for some of them to push themselves further forward by hopefully contributing to England victories and putting pressure on future selection.”
England Women’s Squad to face Ireland: Maia Bouchier (Hampshire), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Kira Chathli (Surrey), Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Surrey), Charlie Dean (c) (Somerset), Sophia Dunkley (Surrey).
