Charlotte Edwards' first squad selections as England head coach have generated several significant talking points.
A combination of injuries and form means the playing groups have a fresh feel to them. Those expecting a swathe of big-name axings following the winter defeats will have been disappointed, but there's enough in her selections to see Charlotte Edwards' name stamped across the groups.
Here are five takeaways from the announcement.
Ecclestone's omission a significant marker
Most sides would go to any lengths to include the world's No.1 ranked ODI and T20I bowler in their side if they are fit. However, despite playing a full part in the Lancashire match which coincided with the squad announcement, Sophie Ecclestone was not deemed fit enough to be included. Ecclestone missed the first six matches of the Lancashire's One Day Cup with a knee injury, and Edwards clarified that she is "doesn't have enough cricket under her belt to be ready for the series".
Injuries happen, but Ecclestone's omission is still significant. Under previous regimes, players have been selected off the back of no, or limited, domestic cricket. Her Lancashire appearance yesterday was only Ecclestone's sixth in domestic List A cricket since 2021. Equally, six limited overs matches in a series spread over two weeks would not ordinarily be considered a too-heavy workload when managing a niggle clearly not bad enough to prevent a player from playing. The ODI series starts in over a fortnight. Would Ecclestone really not be able to play any part in it?
Ecclestone's omission sets a precedent for players needing to prove their fitness and form through domestic cricket ahead of selection, and shows Edwards' commitment to her pledge to drive up standards. It also delays the question of how Ecclestone and Nat Sciver-Brunt, England's two properly world-class players, will mesh under their new coach.
England have announced their white-ball squads for the first series of the summer, to be played under a new head coach and captain.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) May 14, 2025
Sophie Ecclestone is "physically not quite at 100%" after injury, with Charlotte Edwards saying she "doesn't have enough cricket under her belt." pic.twitter.com/oYtAfQ24zY
Domestic returns key
One of the questions raised after England's Ashes whitewash was where the new talent pressuring players for their international places was in the domestic system. The start of the season has been an emphatic answer to that, and has been duly rewarded. Among recalled faces are Emma Lamb – who currently tops the One Day Cup run charts – and Alice Davidson-Richards, who has been a consistent domestic performer for the last few years. Emily Arlott, who would likely not have been on many people's selection radar at the end of the winter, has been selected off the back of a century for Warwickshire from No.7 as well as strong returns with the ball.
The ECB sought after Edwards in a large part because of her depth of knowledge of the women's domestic game, and how closely she pays attention to it is clear in her selections. It also works on the flip side, with Maia Bouchier out of both squads, not only after a poor winter but after following that up with an underwhelming few weeks for Hampshire. Danni Wyatt-Hodge's ODI omission also comes as she has yet to cross 50 in the One Day Cup this season for Surrey.
Differentiation between squads
While some differentiation between squads was normal across Jon Lewis' tenure, Edwards' different approaches to 50-over and 20-over cricket are more pronounced. Nine players feature in both squads, including new captain Sciver-Brunt. When she was appointed as head coach, Edwards stated her primary job was to win rather than focussing on entertainment. What's clear across both squads is that performance and suitability to each format has been prioritised rather than potential and talent which has previously been highly ranked. Leaving out Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Capsey from the 50-over squad are particular evidence of that.
Room for past faces to return
Another criticism previously levied at England selections has been that previously discarded talent has been overlooked. A key example of this would be Davidson-Richards, who scored a Test century against South Africa in 2022, but whose white-ball appearances have been sporadic since making her debut in 2018. There's another example in Emma Lamb, although, until this summer, her recent domestic returns had not demanded a recall. Nevertheless, past failings feel put to bed under Edwards' leadership, with a genuine fresh slate on offer for those who earn it.
Beneath the headlines, core remains the same
Taking into account everything said above, there is significant continuity – as expected – in these squads. With slight tweaks, the core group remains the same. Edwards has struck a balance between sticking to those players who are genuine England greats in a poorly performing team over the winter, and injecting some freshness. This does feel like a huge moment for some names in that centre, however, who must now perform to justify the faith that's been placed in them.
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