England announce Ashes squad; no surprise selections

It hasn’t come as a surprise that England have not made any surprise selections to their squad. They have named the squad for the ODI part of the multi-format Ashes Squad. The series starts on Tuesday at Leicester. Australia currently holds the Ashes and England will be keen to regain them.



The only player from the fifteen that does not feature from te previous ODI squad is Alex Hartley. England have plenty of spin options with Sophie Ecclestone, the first choice left-arm spinner and Laura Marsh the front-line off-spinner. Heather Knight and even possibly the odd over from Danni Wyatt will fill in when needed.



England opted for the extra seamer during the West Indies series and Kate Cross repaid the management's faith in her.



There is space in the squad to call up one player on the peripheries of the squad. Bryony Smith was unlucky to miss out having not done anything wrong her one game against West Indies. With the Academy side playing against Australia A throughout the main series players can be called up.



Georgia Elwiss is another player omitted from the squad. Elwiss had been a regular in the squad before a stress fracture of the back ended her tour of India earlier in the year.



Heather Knight speaking about the decisions she said "It wasn't an easy squad to pick. We've won 14 games in a row and during that time, different people have performed and stuck their hand up. That bodes well for the Ashes and hopefully, we can maintain that form throughout this series."



Having played well in the previous two test matches against Australia that will be Elwiss’ best chance of regaining her place. Elwiss is in good form having scored 80 not out and taking four wickets in a t20 cup game against Wales last Sunday. Knight missed Tuesday night’s T20I against West Indies due to a slight hamstring strain. She will return to the side to lead her side in the first of 3 ODIs.



The Ashes series will see England and Australia play 3 ODIs 3 T20Is with each game worth 2 points for the winner. There will also be one test match at Taunton with its worth 4 points to the winner.



England Squad:



Heather Knight (c),  Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Jenny Gunn, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor (wk), Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt.