FRAN WILSON NAMED IN ENGLAND WOMEN'S SQUAD FOR TOUR IN INDIA

England Women have announced their squad for the tour of India with three new faces earning their first call-up.

Bryony Smith, Alice Davidson-Richards and Katie George – of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire respectively – have all been named in the full squad for the first time, while there are also returns for Kate Cross, Tash Farrant and Amy Jones.

Middlesex batsman Fran Wilson is again retained in the England squad, having last featured extensively for her country in England's successful Women's World Cup campaign last season.

The England side will firstly play an IT20 tri-series with Australia and hosts India in late March in Mumbai, before then moving to Nagpur to compete in a three match ODI series against India in early April.

Squad of sixteen as follows...

Heather Knight (captain, Berkshire)

Tammy Beaumont (Kent)

Kate Cross (Lancashire)

Alice Davidson-Richards (Kent)

Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire)

Tash Farrant (Kent)

Katie George (Hampshire)

Jenny Gunn (Warwickshire)

Alex Hartley (Lancashire)

Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire)

Amy Jones (wicketkeeper, Warwickshire)

Anya Shrubsole (Somerset)

Bryony Smith (Surrey)

Nat Sciver (Surrey)

Fran Wilson (Middlesex)

Danni Wyatt (Sussex)

The sixteen-strong group doesn’t feature Sarah Taylor or Katherine Brunt, with Brunt unavailable after injuring her back during the Women’s Big Bash League and Taylor rested.

Coach Mark Robinson is looking forward to testing new players and adding new options to his squad ahead of a year that sees England play host to New Zealand and South Africa and take part in the ICC World T20...

“We’ve said for a long time that we need to play more games and it’s exciting that we’ve been able to arrange this very competitive series outside of the ICC Women’s Championship.

“It gives us a chance to see other players and measure their progress and that also means we can rest and rotate. In Sarah’s case, she’s been doing really well and we always targeted this period as one where she can focus on her wellbeing in preparation for what will be a busy summer leading into the ICC World T20I.

“It’s hugely exciting to have three new faces in the group – and to welcome back a few others - obviously that means a few have missed out but they can use the time to their advantage and come back more strongly.”