England Women's Cricket Team Heads to South Africa for Training Camp
Training Camp in South Africa
The England Women’s cricket team is set to embark on a training camp in South Africa after their intended preparatory tour to Abu Dhabi was called off due to security concerns in the Middle East.
A total of 30 players will gather in Pretoria, where they will be split into two teams for a five-match intra-squad series taking place from March 10 to March 27. The teams have been named Team Brittin and Team Heyhoe-Flint, honoring former England cricketers Jan Brittin and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, both of whom celebrated victory in the Women’s World Cup on home turf, as reported by a sports media outlet.
Team Brittin will be captained by Nat Sciver-Brunt, with Jon Lewis serving as the coach. Meanwhile, Team Heyhoe-Flint will be led by vice-captain Charlie Dean and coached by Luke Williams.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards will oversee both squads during the camp, emphasizing that this series presents a vital chance for players to showcase their skills ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which England is set to host later this year.
Among the touring group, eight players are yet to make their senior debuts for England. Notably, 19-year-old opener Davina Perrin has garnered attention after scoring a swift century off 43 balls for Northern Superchargers in last year’s The Hundred.
Additionally, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, a young left-arm spinner who excelled in the same tournament with an impressive economy rate of 5.75 and 11 wickets, has also been included in the squad.
Former England Under-19 captain Grace Scrivens joins Alexa Stonehouse, Grace Potts, and Jodi Grewcock in the lineup, along with Lancashire captain Ellie Threlkeld and wicketkeeper-batter Rhianna Southby.
Unfortunately, leg-spinner Sarah Glenn will miss the camp due to a finger fracture sustained during training in February.
This upcoming camp marks England’s second visit to South Africa this year, following earlier training sessions in Oman in January and Stellenbosch last month. Edwards noted that the Pretoria series aims to enhance the competitive edge of the team’s preparations for a demanding international season.
England is scheduled to host New Zealand and India in white-ball series prior to the Women’s T20 World Cup, which will occur from June 12 to July 5. The team will also face India in a landmark women’s Test match at Lord’s later in the season.
Team Heyhoe Flint: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean (capt), Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Alexa Stonehouse, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Team Brittin: Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Freya Kemp, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Paige Scholfield, Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Linsey Smith, Rhianna Southby, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.