Lauren Filer is set to step back onto the cricket field for the first time since the Women’s Ashes Test in Sydney last January. The fast bowler will feature in a T20 warm-up match against the touring West Indies in Canterbury this Sunday.
Filer, renowned as England’s fastest bowler, has been sidelined by a knee injury since the Ashes defeat. Her return offers much-needed experience to a mainly youthful ECB Development XI, which will be led by Somerset’s Katie Jones.
Due to the proximity of this fixture to the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup and Metro Bank One Day Cup matches, selectors turned their focus to these domestic events. As a result, the squad comprises primarily younger players, including several who impressed at the Women’s Under-19 World Cup in January.
Notably, Katie Jones, the captain and wicketkeeper, stood out at the World Cup after being named in the ICC’s tournament team for her nine dismissals, seven of which were stumpings. She is joined by Phoebe Brett, Olivia Brinsden, and Charlotte Stubbs, among others.
Following this warm-up, the West Indies team will remain in Canterbury, where they will face England in the first T20 International on Wednesday.
ECB Development XI: Katie Jones (Somerset; captain), Ellie Anderson (Somerset), Phoebe Brett (Warwickshire), Olivia Brinsden (Lancashire), Emma Corney (Somerset), Lauren Filer (Durham), Liberty Heap (Lancashire), Tilly Kesteven (Lancashire), Bethan Miles (Surrey), Chloe Skelton (Somerset), Charlotte Stubbs (Durham), Annie Williams (The Blaze), Genevieve Jeer (Surrey, non-playing role).
