England women’s cricketers set for Sri Lanka

Twelve players from across the England women’s cricket pathway will travel to Sri Lanka next month to take part in an intensive 12-day batting and spin bowling development camp in Colombo.

England women’s vice-captain Heather Knight (Berkshire) is one of eight players included in the group who is currently part of the full England Women’s Performance Squad (EWPS). Having enjoyed a successful conversion to bowling off-spin over the last 18 months, the top-order batter returned career-best one-day international figures of 4-47 with her off-breaks during England women’s recent tour against New Zealand. 

Knight is joined from the EWPS by experienced off-spin duo Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire) and Laura Marsh (Kent), orthodox left-arm spinners Jodie Dibble (Devon) and Rebecca Grundy (Warwickshire) and off-spinning all-rounder Danielle Wyatt (Nottinghamshire). Wicket-keeper Amy Jones (Warwickshire) and top-order batter Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire) will also take part in the training camp to gain greater experience of playing in subcontinental conditions.

Lancashire batter Emma Lamb, Staffordshire off-spinner Stephanie Butler and orthodox left-arm spinner Alex Hartley (Middlesex) are also included from the England Women’s Academy (EWA), and 16 year old left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone completes the 12-strong party from the England Women’s Development Programme Under-19s (EWDP U19). 

The players will arrive in Colombo on Sunday April 19 and will spend just under two weeks training under the guidance of England Women’s Assistant Coach, Carl Crowe and EWA Head Coach, Lisa Keightley. They will also play three one-day matches against a Sri Lanka Women’s “A” team.   

ECB’s Head of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “Following on from the successful EWDP U19 fast bowling camp to Potchefstroom at the start of the year, this batting and spin bowling camp to Colombo is the next phase of player development for targeted players within the England women’s cricket pathway. Led by Carl Crowe, the training camp is designed to challenge the players technically and mentally in difficult conditions on the subcontinent. With the ICC World Twenty20 taking place in India in March 2016, the opportunity for this group of players to specifically focus on their bowling and batting against spin will be hugely beneficial in ensuring that they are well prepared to perform for England women in these conditions, should they be selected.” 

England women’s cricketers to attend Sri Lanka batting and spin bowling training camp in full: