England pacer back in the fray for West Indies series

England have unveiled squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against the West Indies at home.

With Heather Knight having stepped down as the skipper, star all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt will make her full-time captaincy debut in a three-T20I series, followed by as many ODIs.

Making her return to the England squad for the first time since September 2024 is fiery pacer Issy Wong, who has been named in the 14-member squad for the T20I series.

Wong’s return comes on the back of her impressive returns for England A on the tour of Australia.

Alice Davidson-Richards and Emma Lamb are also back in the ODI setup. Davidson-Richards last represented England in an ODI against Sri Lanka in September 2023, while Lamb's last international outing came in September 2024 in an ODI against Ireland.

Pacer Emily Arlott is also poised to make her international debut, having been named in both the T20I and ODI squads.

T20I squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt, Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

ODI squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Davidson-Richards, Emily Arlott , Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Mahika Gaur, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith

Among the absentees for the home side is seasoned spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who is on the road to recovery from a knee injury.

“Following her knee injury, Sophie Ecclestone is physically not quite at 100% yet," England's new head coach Charlotte Edwards said. "She's been rehabbing and working hard but she’s only just got back on the park for Lancashire so she doesn't have enough cricket under her belt to be ready for this series."

On other exclusions, Edwards added: “All-rounders Freya Kemp (back) and Danielle Gibson (stress fracture) are both unavailable due to injury.

“Lauren Filer’s return from a knee injury continues positively and she will continue to be reviewed.

“Maia Bouchier misses out having been a part of the Ashes series, Maia’s talent is there for all to see and the challenge to her is to go and make consistent match-winning contributions for Hampshire in domestic cricket.”

The multi-format series will serve as a precursor to England's preparations for this year's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India and the T20 World Cup next year at home.

England Women's summer fixtures

vs West Indies

First T20I: Wednesday, May 21, Canterbury

Second T20I: Friday, May 23, Hove

Third T20I: Monday, May 26, Chelmsford

First ODI: Friday, May 30, Derby

Second ODI: Wednesday, June 4, Leicester

Third ODI: Saturday, June 7, Taunton