Heather Knight has been named in England’s 15 for next month’s Women’s World Cup, a clear sign the experienced batter is winning her race against time after a hamstring tear in May. England have also recalled Danni Wyatt-Hodge, while seasoned seamer Kate Cross is the headline omission as selectors load up with four spinners for matches in India and Sri Lanka.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards admitted the event will be a “huge challenge” but insisted England can compete “with anyone”. Her group features left-armers Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith, off-spinner Charlie Dean and leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, whose wrong-un offers variety on dry, turning pitches. Cross, batter Maia Bouchier and all-rounder Alice Davidson-Richards make way.
“Being selected to play for your country in a World Cup is one of the biggest honours in sport and I’m delighted for all the players named in the squad,” Edwards said. “Conditions mean we have gone for the extra spinner and we’re lucky to be able to have such depth in this department, it’s fantastic to welcome Sarah Glenn back. That does mean there’s no room for Kate Cross, Maia Bouchier or Alice Davidson-Richards, which will be disappointing for them.”
Knight has not played since pulling up against West Indies but her rehabilitation is understood to be on schedule. A fully fit Knight stiffens a middle order that faltered during the home series against India in July. “It’s also great to have Danni back in the squad, she’s been in good form in domestic cricket and she’ll bring dynamism and depth to our batting, alongside Heather, who we are absolutely delighted to be able to select. She’ll be a huge asset for us,” Edwards added.
Ecclestone, comfortably the world’s top-ranked spinner, leads a bowling unit that also includes seamers Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer and newcomer Em Arlott. Nat Sciver-Brunt captains the side and hopes to resume full all-round duties after nursing a troublesome Achilles. Her medium pace could be vital if spin backfires on the slower Sri Lankan surfaces later in the tournament.
England resisted the temptation to pick a fifth specialist bowler, banking instead on all-round options such as Alice Capsey and Emma Lamb to fill overs. The balance, on paper, looks suited to subcontinental conditions; whether it works in practice will become clear when the campaign begins on 30 September. The final is scheduled for 2 November, giving Knight and company six weeks to turn selection theory into another global title push.
England squad: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
