Uncapped duo step into limelight as England announce Women's Ashes Test squad

England women have announced their squad for the upcoming Women's Ashes 2023, which is slated to begin on June 22 at Trent Bridge. Notably, Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson have been included in the 15-member team as the duo earned their maiden call-ups in Test cricket. On the other hand, all-rounder Danielle Gibson is very likely to earn her debut cap after finishing as the joint-highest run-scorer and top wicket-taker in the recently concluded Charlotte Edwards Cup. 

Notably, the cricketer was part of the squad that visited South Africa for the T20 World Cup earlier in the year, but she was part of the reserves and, thus, never got an opportunity to make it to the main squad. However, after being extremely successful in recent times, she is expected to be part of the playing XI against Australia.

Squad - Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Issy Wong, Danielle Wyatt.

Playing for Western Storm, Gibson recently registered a half-century against the Sunrisers. However, red-ball cricket is a different ball game altogether, and thus, the cricketer should be cautious about her approach. On the other hand, 22-year-old Lauren Filer has struggled in recent times, but the pacer has the pedigree to get the job done. Interestingly, just like Gibson, Filer also represented Western Storm in the tournament.

Meanwhile, ahead of the all-important Ashes, England Women’s will play Australia A in a three-day warm-up fixture. The idea is to get into match fitness as the team hasn’t played Test cricket for a long time now. Notably, the match will be played at Incora County Ground, Derbyshire, from June 15 to 17. From the senior squad, Alice Davidson-Richards and Danielle Wyatt will represent England A in the warm-up matches, and based on their performance, the team management will judge if they can fit into the playing XI.