Sophie Ecclestone has been named in England's T20I squad to face India later this month, a week after announcing she would take a break from domestic cricket to manage a quad injury.
Sophie Ecclestone recalled to England T20I squad for India series
Ecclestone was left out of both white-ball squads that faced West Indies for England's first assignment under new head coach Charlotte Edwards, as she returned from a knee injury which kept her out of the first part of the domestic summer. After playing eight matches for Lancashire across the T20 County Cup and the start of the T20 Blast, Ecclestone left the field in a match against Durham, with it later revealed she was managing a quad injury.
Last week, it was announced Ecclestone would take a break from domestic cricket to fully recover from that injury, although it was clarified that she would still be available for selection for the series against India.
Her inclusion in the squad means that Sarah Glenn misses out. Glenn played one of England's T20Is against West Indies, in which she went wicketless, but took three wickets in the only ODI she played. The rise of Hampshire left-arm spinner Linsey Smith means she's edged out Glenn in the selection race.
Edwards said: “We are blessed with a strong group of spinners and we unfortunately can’t play them all. It’s now a great opportunity for Sarah to go back to The Blaze and play some competitive cricket in the Vitality Blast.”
Elsewhere in the squad, all-rounder Em Arlott has been retained after impressing in her debut series – taking five wickets in two T20Is against West Indies. Paige Scholfield has also been included, despite not playing a game in the West Indies series.
The series will begin on June 28 in Nottingham, with matches Bristol, The Oval, Old Trafford and Edgbaston. India have already named their squads for the series, with Shafali Verma recalled to the T20I group.
England T20I squad vs India
Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong.
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