WPL 2024 fever grips ECB: Star quartet chooses T20 league over NZ Tour

The Women’s Premier League (WPL 2024) casts a long shadow over England Women’s cricket as ECB announced two separate T20 squads for their tour of New Zealand. The squads cater to the scheduling clash between the WPL and the international series, creating a unique situation.

Four key players – Alice Capsey (Delhi Capitals), Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz), Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians) and Danni Wyatt (UP Warriorz) – have prioritized finishing the WPL 2024 season, making them unavailable for the first three T20Is against New Zealand. This decision, supported by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), highlights the growing influence and financial allure of the WPL.

Bell & Knight prioritize NZ, sacrifice WPL 2024

In contrast, Lauren Bell (UP Warriorz) and Heather Knight (Royal Challengers Bangalore) have withdrawn from the WPL 2024 to represent England throughout the T20 series. This sacrifice showcases their international commitment and the importance of the NZ tour.

The unique scheduling demands have led to England naming two squads. Hollie Armitage and Linsey Smith earn call-ups, seeking to make their T20 debuts. Tammy Beaumont, aiming for her 100th T20 cap, is set to open the batting in Wyatt’s absence.

Meanwhile, Mahika Gaur is unavailable due to her ongoing A-Level studies, and Freya Kemp is selected as a specialist batter for the parallel England A tour to New Zealand, following a recurrence of a back injury.

England A Tour runs simultaneously:

A separate England A squad, featuring talented youngsters like Tash Farrant and Emma Lamb, will tour New Zealand concurrently, providing valuable development opportunities.

Jon Lewis manages dual roles:

Jon Lewis, head coach of both England and UP Warriorz in the WPL, will prioritize the T20 series, leaving the WPL 2024 early to focus on England’s preparations.

This unique situation reflects the evolving landscape of women’s cricket, where leagues like the WPL are creating scheduling complexities but also attracting global attention and talent.

England T20I squad vs New Zealand: Hollie Armitage*, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey+, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone+, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (captain), Nat Sciver-Brunt+, Linsey Smith*, Danni Wyatt+ (*first three only; +fourth and fifth only).

England ODI squad vs New Zealand: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (capt), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt.

England A squad vs New Zealand: Georgia Adams, Hannah Baker, Alice Davidson-Richards, Tash Farrant, Kirstie Gordon (T20 captain), Freya Kemp, Emma Lamb, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Sophie Munro, Grace Potts, Paige Scholfield, Grace Scrivens (ODI captain), Seren Smale, Rhianna Southby, Mady Villiers.