CRICKETT

 

The squad had been scheduled to travel to the UAE on Wednesday. However, the trip was cancelled following escalating regional instability after United States and Israeli strikes on Iran, which were followed by retaliatory attacks by Iran across parts of the Middle East. In response to the security concerns, the England and Wales Cricket Board decided to move the camp to South Africa.

The training tour is considered an important opportunity for preparation ahead of this summer's T20 World Cup. England's women have not played a competitive match since October and have no scheduled international fixtures during the winter period. As a result, the camp is designed to help players regain match readiness and sharpen their skills before the major tournament.

Two full squads will travel to South Africa and compete in a five match T20 series. The players will be divided into two teams that will face each other during the tour.

Team Heyhoe Flint will be led by England vice captain Charlie Dean. The squad includes experienced players such as former England captain Heather Knight and leading spinner Sophie Ecclestone. England assistant coach Luke Williams will guide the team during the series.

Team Brittin will be captained by England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt. Former Durham batter Jon Lewis will take on coaching duties for this side.

England head coach Charlotte Edwards will oversee the entire training camp and work with both squads throughout the tour.

The selection also features eight uncapped players, providing younger cricketers with a valuable opportunity to impress the coaching staff. Among the newcomers are spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, batters Davina Perrin, Jodi Grewcock and Grace Scrivens, seam bowlers Grace Potts and Alexa Stonehouse, and wicketkeepers Rhianna Southby and Ellie Threlkeld.

One notable absentee is leg spinner Sarah Glenn, who is unavailable because of a broken finger.

Earlier this year, Edwards encouraged emerging players to challenge established members of the national side for places in the senior squad. The upcoming tour is expected to give those players a chance to showcase their abilities in a competitive environment.

The training camp will run from 10 March to 27 March. It follows earlier England training visits to Oman and South Africa earlier in the year.

By splitting the group into two squads and staging a short series, the coaching staff hope to create a competitive atmosphere while also giving every player meaningful time on the field as England prepares for the global tournament later this year.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Sri Lankan cricketer Praveen Jayawickrama has been handed a one-year ban from all forms of cricket after breaching the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption code. The 26-year-old spinner was charged with three violations of the code, including failing to report an approach to fix matches and obstructing an ICC investigation.