England have handed maiden call-ups to Mahika Gaur and Bess Heath for the upcoming white-ball series with Sri Lanka but rested four key players including Sophie Ecclestone.
Jon Lewis’ side will bring an enthralling summer to an end when they play three IT20s and three ODIs against Sri Lanka between August 31 and September 14.
After beating Australia in both white-ball series last month, England turn their attention to Sri Lanka but will be without Ecclestone and Sophia Dunkley for the entire series, while Danni Wyatt will only play in the T20s and Nat Sciver-Brunt is only part of the ODI group.
Fast bowler Gaur has benefited from this rotation and in the process will commit her international future to England after being selected in both white-ball squads.
Gaur, 17, has represented United Arab Emirates in 19 T20 internationals but is set to make her debut for England after a fine summer where she helped North West Thunder make the Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day and, more recently, has caught the eye for Manchester Originals.
Heath hit 41 for England A against Australia A earlier this summer and is selected in both groups following a consistent run of form over the past year.
Freya Kemp is also back in the 20-over squad after she recovered from a stress fracture to her back and Lauren Filer has received her first IT20 call-up following a starring red-ball role against Australia in the one-off Test in June.
Captain Heather Knight and her team will begin the IT20 series at a sold-out Hove on August 31.
Head coach Lewis said: “We have named a squad with a good blend of youth and experience and see this as an important series to test the depth of our playing pool.
“We have some exciting, new young players coming in who we are looking forward to working with.
“Mahika is a very exciting talent. Left-arm swing bowlers of over six-foot tall are unique in women’s cricket.
“Mahika has shown consistently this summer that she is a threat with the new ball and we are excited to see how she performs at international level.
“Bess is an all-action cricketer who impacts games and is a great fit for us and how we want to play.
“She impressed in the A team games against Australia earlier in the summer and she also provides cover for Amy Jones with the gloves.
“With a World Cup coming up next year, it’s imperative we develop the squad and players can gain international caps and experience.
“The chance to play at venues around the country is exciting. It’s great the opening fixture against Sri Lanka at Hove is now sold out.
“After an incredible Ashes summer, we want to maintain momentum on and off the field and look forward to getting started.”
England Women’s IT20 squad: Knight (captain), Bell, Bouchier, Capsey, Cross, Dean, Filer, Gaur, Gibson, Glenn, Heath, Jones, Kemp, Wong, Wyatt.
England Women’s ODI squad: Knight (captain), Beaumont, Bell, Bouchier, Capsey, Cross, Dean, Filer, Gaur, Gibson, Glenn, Heath, Jones, Lamb, Sciver-Brunt,
West Indies in control as Bangladesh battle to avoid follow-on
West Indies will take a 181-run lead heading into day four of their opening Test against Bangladesh.
Having dominated day two, West Indies turned in another excellent display on Sunday to further gain control of the match.
After resuming on 40-2, Bangladesh saw Shahadat Hossain fall to Kemar Roach (1-30), but Mominul Haque did reach 50 before he was pinned lbw by Jayden Seales (2-42).
Shamar Joseph dismissed Litton Das (40) soon after as the Windies bowlers stepped into their rhythm, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (23) was soon sent packing by Alzarri Joseph, who grabbed his second wicket when he bowled Taijul Islam (18).
However, that wicket came after Taijul had combined with Jaker Ali (53) to offer some resistance and ensured the tourists avoided the follow-on.
Jaker was caught by Seales when attempting to slog Justin Greaves (2-34), with Taskin Ahmed (11 not out) and Shoriful Islam (five not out) guiding Bangladesh to 269-9 at stumps, chasing West Indies' first-innings total of 450.
Data Debrief: Bravery needed for Bangladesh
It is all about hanging on now for Bangladesh, who have to somehow see out the next two days if they are to avoid a fifth straight Test defeat.
West Indies, meanwhile, look all set to make it five Tests unbeaten at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, where Bangladesh are out to avoid a third loss.
Greaves hits unbeaten ton as West Indies dominate Bangladesh
Justin Greaves hit an unbeaten century – his first red-ball ton – as West Indies ended day two of their first Test against Bangladesh with a commanding 410-run lead.
Greaves resumed alongside Joshua Da Silva with West Indies 250-5 after day one in Antigua, eventually slamming 115 runs off 206 balls faced as the hosts established a dominant position.
His steady knock ensured the Windies recovered nicely after slipping to 261-7 early on, while Kemar Roach hit a career-best 47 through four defiant hours at the crease.
Hasan Mahmud took three day-two wickets for Bangladesh, including that of Roach, as his short delivery angled in to clip the top of middle stump.
Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite declared to put Bangladesh at the crease late on, and there was no respite for the tourists against the hosts' four-man pace attack.
Zakir Hasan fell to Jayden Seales for 15, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Alzarri Joseph for five shortly after being dropped, leaving Bangladesh 40-2 at stumps.
Data Debrief: Career-best for Greaves
Greaves' unbeaten 115 marked his first century in Test cricket, surpassing his previous best knock – a score of 33 versus Australia in January – by some distance.
His strike rate of 55.83 on Saturday, while steady, also bettered his effort of 55.00 during that match in Brisbane. Thanks to his efforts, Bangladesh have a real mountain to climb on day three.
Inglis hails 'hard to stop' Stoinis after ruthless knock
Josh Inglis lauded "hard to stop" Marcus Stoinis as Australia signed off their T20I series against Pakistan in style, claiming a whitewash.
The hosts raced to a seven-wicket victory with almost nine overs remaining in Monday's third match.
After Australia's bowlers had limited Pakistan to just 117 runs, Stoinis ensured they signed off their final white-ball assignment in style, with his unbeaten 61 doing the damage.
Only twice has he bettered that knock in T20Is – versus New Zealand in 2021 (78) and against Oman at the World Cup earlier this year (67*).
"It's been a great week. We've had a lot of fun as a group," Inglis said. "It's been really nice.
"When Stoinis is going like that, he is really hard to stop. One of those sixes was probably the biggest I've ever seen!"
Stoinis, who was named player of the match, added: "Nice to score some runs on a beautiful wicket but credit to the bowlers who kept the total down.
"Yeah, I actually told [Haris] Rauf that this is the first time any of us got the better of him! No, he's a brilliant bowler, bowled well this series."
During their white-ball tour, Pakistan won the ODI series, their first time doing so in Australia in 22 years, but got whitewashed in the T20Is.
Despite the heavy loss, captain Agha Salman chose to focus on the positive effect the experience will have on their young players.
"I think in the middle overs, we didn't capitalise on the start," he said. "But lots of positives.
"The way Usman [Khan] batted, the way Jahandad [Khan] bowled. These youngsters will come good.
"It's obviously a big achievement winning the ODI series, but we could have done much better in the T20Is."
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