Women’s Ashes: Charlie Dean, Maia Bouchier earn maiden call-up as ECB announces England squad

On Friday, the England Cricket Board (ECB) announced the 17-member squad for the upcoming multi-format Women’s Ashes against Australia, beginning with the one-off Test in Canberra on January 27.

Charlie Dean and Maia Bouchier, who made their limited-overs debut against New Zealand last year, have earned their maiden Ashes call-up. Dean has so far played five One-Day Internationals (ODIs), in which she has scored 19 runs and taken 10 wickets. Similarly, Bouchier has appeared in only 2 T20Is for England and scored 26 runs.

Heather Knight will captain the side featuring some other familiar names like Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole and Danni Wyatt.

After the one-off Test, both sides will meet in the three-match T20I series and as many ODI fixtures. While the first two T20Is will take place in Sydney, the last T20I and ODI series opener will be played in Adelaide. Similarly, the remaining two ODIs will be hosted in Melbourne.

England will be looking for their first Ashes win since 2014, after losing the previous two series at home in 2015 and 2019 and drawing in Australia in 2017.

“It’s always exciting to head to Australia to take on the challenge of winning the Ashes, and we’re really looking forward to going out there and making some memories as a team. We’ve got a nice blend of experienced pros and youngsters, and it’s a trip we’ve been preparing for since the end of our summer. A multi-format series is a great test of all our skills, and we can’t wait to get out there,” said England head coach Lisa Keightley in a statement.

England Women’s Ashes squad:

Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, (VC), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

Further, the apex English board also released the 12-member England-A side, which will travel with the senior team for a six-match limited-overs series.

England Women’s A squad:

Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Eve Jones, Beth Langston, Emma Lamb, Bryony Smith, Ellie Threlkeld, Issy Wong.