Kirstie Gordon will pull on a Scotland shirt again next month after being named in a 15-player squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England. The 28-year-old left-arm spinner last turned out for her native country in 2017, switched to England for the 2018 edition of the same tournament, and now returns almost seven years after her one Ashes Test and five T20Is for her adopted side.
Craig Wallace, Scotland women’s head coach, was quick to frame the call-up as another marker of progress. “It was hugely difficult to select a fifteen, but that’s testament to the growth and success of the women’s game in Scotland over the last few years,” he said. “The depth we have now to choose from is incredible and every selection is enjoyable, but really tough. I think we’ve got a really good balance in the squad in terms of what we think we need to succeed in this tournament.”
Wallace added: “Kirstie’s decision to come back home and choose to play for Scotland again shows just how far the team have progressed to, and it’s great for our players to have the chance to play with one of the best in the world.”
Gordon’s England stint produced eight wickets at the 2018 World Cup, including neat figures of 3-16 on debut against Bangladesh, plus three more scalps in her sole Test at Taunton in 2019. Domestic form for The Blaze has remained strong and, crucially, she has re-established her Scotland eligibility in time for a second consecutive global event for the side.
Scotland will again be led by all-rounder Kathryn Bryce, Gordon’s county team-mate, and the selectors have retained a blend of experience and youthful promise. Under-19 graduates Gabriella Fontenla, Maisie Maceira and wicketkeeper-batter Pippa Sproul all keep their places after useful outings in Malaysia last year. The bowling group, on paper, now covers left-arm spin (Gordon), off-spin (Katherine Fraser) and a clutch of seam options—handy variety for English early-summer conditions.
“We have multiple world-class players in this team, and Kirstie is definitely one of them,” Wallace continued. “We welcome her involvement in the group and expect her to drive our standards up even more and help us to improve Scottish cricket. I’m looking forward to working with her and helping her enhance her own skills as well.”
Scotland have landed in a testing Group B with England, Ireland, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Their opener is against Ireland at Old Trafford on 13 June—a fixture that could set the tone before tougher assignments against the hosts and two former champions.
Squad in full: Kathryn Bryce (capt), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul.
Short straight-to-the-point: Gordon back, Scotland deeper, June can’t come soon enough.
