Five Kent players have been named by the ECB in the England Women’s Performance Squad of 21 players for the 2013/14 winter.
Led by skipper Charlotte Edwards, Kent will be represented by Tammy Beaumont, Natasha Farrant, Lydia Greenway and Laura Marsh.
The winter schedule starts with a tour to the West Indies later this month and then moves to Australia at the start of 2014 to defend the Ashes.
A 14-player squad has been chosen from the England Women’s Performance Squad to compete in a T20 Tri-Series and ODI series in West Indies starting in Barbados on 16th October. The T20 Tri-Series will see England play New Zealand and hosts West Indies twice each to determine who will contest the final on 26th October. England will then play West Indies in a three-match ODI Series in Trinidad from 29th October – 3rd November.
The squad includes England Women’s Academy graduates Beth Langston and Kate Cross. Ashes heroines Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Laura Marsh, and Heather Knight will all remain in the UK to continue their rehabilitation from injuries sustained during this summer’s victorious Ashes campaign. In addition, Arran Brindle will not be touring for personal reasons.
A 15-player squad will then be chosen in December for the return trip to Australia to defend the Ashes.
Head of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said:
“After an inspirational summer regaining the Women’s Ashes, the England team now embarks on a full winter schedule starting with a tour to the West Indies. With a few experienced players currently rehabilitating injuries sustained during the Ashes campaign, a number of young players will have the opportunity to play key roles for the side in what promises to be an exciting tour against the hosts West Indies and also New Zealand.
“Kate Cross and Beth Langston should both be congratulated on their selection after delivering consistently strong performances at England Women’s Academy level. Strength in depth is going to be critical to England’s success over the next couple of years with more and more international cricket on the horizon, including the return Ashes to Australia in January 2014 and the ICC World Twenty20 in March/April 2014.”
England Women’s Performance Squad 2013/14:
| Tammy Beaumont | Kent |
| Arran Brindle | Sussex |
| Katherine Brunt | Yorkshire |
| Holly Colvin | Sussex |
| Katie Cross | Lancashire |
| Charlotte Edwards | Kent |
| Georgia Elwiss | Sussex |
| Natasha Farrant | Kent |
| Lydia Greenway | Kent |
| Jenny Gunn | Nottinghamshire |
| Danielle Hazell | Yorkshire |
| Amy Jones | Warwickshire |
| Heather Knight | Berkshire |
| Beth Langston | Essex |
| Laura Marsh | Kent |
| Natalie Sciver | Surrey |
| Anya Shrubsole | Somerset |
| Sarah Taylor | Sussex |
| Fran Wilson | Somerset |
| Lauren Winfield | Yorkshire |
| Danielle Wyatt | Nottinghamshire |
England Women’s Squad to tour West Indies:
| Charlotte Edwards (capt) | Kent |
| Tammy Beaumont | Kent |
| Holly Colvin | Sussex |
| Katie Cross | Lancashire |
| Natasha Farrant | Kent |
| Lydia Greenway | Kent |
| Jenny Gunn | Nottinghamshire |
| Danielle Hazell | Yorkshire |
| Amy Jones | Warwickshire |
| Beth Langston | Essex |
| Natalie Sciver | Surrey |
| Sarah Taylor | Sussex |
| Lauren Winfield | Yorkshire |
| Danielle Wyatt | Nottinghamshire |