Six South East Stars players have been called to England squads for the forthcoming tour to New Zealand.
Sophia Dunkley will be with the squad for the entirety of the five IT20s and three ODIs across March and April, while Alice Capsey will join from the fourth IT20 match after the conclusion of this year’s Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Alice Davidson-Richards, Tash Farrant, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, and Paige Schofield have been named in the England A side that will play three T20s and three 50-over matches in Queenstown, Dunedin and Nelson.
Farrant continues to build up her bowling return following a stress fracture.
Head coach Jon Lewis will lead UP Warriorz in this season’s WPL and will link up with England on 12 March for a week of preparation ahead of their first IT20.
Lewis said: “We are really looking forward to the upcoming IT20 and ODI series’ in New Zealand.
“This tour is another important step in our build-up to the IT20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.
“We’re delighted to bring in Hollie Armitage and Linsey Smith to the IT20 group.
“Both selections give us an opportunity to test our depth and develop a wider playing group capable of delivering on the international stage across a very congested and demanding schedule in 2024/25.
“Over the years New Zealand have always been a strong opponent and we look forward to the challenge of adapting to new conditions and playing entertaining cricket. We are looking to build on the successes we had in 2023 and help in growing the women’s game in New Zealand and at home.”
Director of England Women’s cricket, Jonathan Finch added: “The short window of just one or two days between the end of the WPL and the first IT20 in New Zealand has meant we have needed to balance the challenges of long-term workload management for players, allowing participation in the WPL and ensuring we give clarity to the group of players preparing for the first three IT20s.
“As a result, we have named two IT20 squads with the WPL players being available for the fourth and fifth matches of the series.
“All players participating in the WPL were given our backing to remain in India for the duration of the tournament.
“Lauren Bell and Heather Knight have withdrawn from the WPL to ensure they can be available for all IT20 games in New Zealand.
“They withdrew once they learnt that the WPL regulations don’t allow for replacements mid-tournament, not wanting their respective WPL teams to be disadvantaged by their early departure.
“England Women head coach Jon Lewis will leave the WPL early to lead the squad preparations in New Zealand.”
IT20 squad for first-third matches
Hollie Armitage (Northern Diamonds)
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers)
Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Heather Knight (captain; Western Storm)
Linsey Smith (Southern Vipers)
IT20 squad for fourth and fifth matches
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers)
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Heather Knight (captain; Western Storm)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)
Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
ODI squad
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers)
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
Kate Cross (Thunder)
Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Heather Knight (captain; Western Storm)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)
Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
England Women A squad
Georgia Adams (Southern Vipers)
Hannah Baker (Central Sparks)
Alice Davidson-Richards (South East Stars)
Tash Farrant (South East Stars)
Kirstie Gordon (IT20 captain; The Blaze)
Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers)
Emma Lamb (Thunder)
Ryana MacDonald-Gay (South East Stars)
Sophie Munro (The Blaze)
Grace Potts (Central Sparks)
Paige Schofield (South East Stars)
Grace Scrivens (ODI captain; Sunrisers)
Seren Smale (Thunder)
Rhianna Southby (Southern Vipers)
Mady Villiers (Sunrisers)
England Women fixtures (all timings in GMT)
19 March – 1st IT20 – Dunedin – 1am
22 March – 2nd IT20 – Nelson – 1am
24 March – 3rd IT20 – Nelson – 1am
27 March – 4th IT20 – Wellington – 1am
29 March – 5th IT20 – Wellington – 1am
31 March – 1st ODI – Wellington – 11pm
3 April – 2nd ODI – Hamilton – 11pm
6 April – 3rd ODI – Hamilton – 11pm
England Women A fixtures (all start timings GMT)
16 March – 1st IT20 – Queenstown – 12am
17 March -2nd IT20 – Queenstown – 12am
20 March – 3rd IT20 – Queenstown – 12am
23 March – 1st ODI – Dunedin – 10pm
28 March – 2nd ODI – Nelson – 10pm
30 March – 3rd ODI – Nelson – 10pm
