New England Women head coach Charlotte Edwards is set to announce her first squad in charge of the side next week, and has several key decisions to make in her selections.
Coming off the back of a troubled winter which ended in the resignations of both captain and head coach, a new chapter will start next week with England's squad announcement for their white-ball series against West Indies. While it's not expected that any dramatic decisions will be made in regard to dropping the established names England have relied on for a decade, there are some spots up for grabs and some decisions to be made.
The start of the new county season has also fuelled speculation over selection, with high scores and more matches meaning several players have made strong cases for recalls and maiden call-ups alike.
Here are five new/returning faces who could be named in England's squad.
Emily Arlott
With Dani Gibson still suffering from a back injury which could prevent her from bowling at the start of the summer, England could be on the hunt for an all-rounder in their T20I lineup. Warwickshire's Emily Arlott could be a potential option for the role after she scored a century from No.7 against Essex, to add to the 12 wickets she's taken so far in the One Day Cup.
Arlott has been included in England squads before but has yet to make her international debut. She was included in the Test squad which faced India in 2021, and in the ODI squad for the same series, but has not been selected since. Even if she doesn't break into an XI, with all-rounders peppered throughout England's side, there may be scope for her to be brought into at least one of the squads.
Emma Lamb
Maia Bouchier's form over the winter means there is once again questions over what England's opening pair will be, with a plethora of options performing across the county scene to select from. Bouchier has been in decent form for Hampshire, meaning she could be retained, while Amy Jones move up to open for The Blaze means an order reshuffle could be on the cards.
There's also Emma Lamb, who has been out of England XI's over the last couple of years having played in all-three formats between 2022 and 2024. While her domestic form has been patchy over the last couple of years, she started the season with an unbeaten 130 and three wickets against The Blaze, and followed-up with half-centuries in her next two innings. She could be an option to open in the ODI side.
Alice Davidson-Richards
Another player seemingly cast aside by England after scoring a Test century in her only international cap is Alice Davidson-Richards. While spots are hard to come by in England's middle-order, depending on the vision Charlotte Edwards has for who bats where, there could be room for another all-rounder. Davidson-Richards currently averages 80.66 in the One Day Cup and scored a century after a top-order collapse in Surrey's last game against Lancashire. She could be an option under consideration for the ODI squad.
Ella McCaughan
A wildcard who could also find herself called-up if England opt for a new opener is 22-year-old Ella McCaughan. Having struggled to find a regular spot in The Vipers side, in a full-time role for Hampshire after Danni Wyatt-Hodge's departure she's found consistent success. She scored a century against a Lancashire bowling attack which featured Kate Cross, Mahika Gaur and highly rated youngster Grace Potts. She's also scored two half-centuries out of the other four games she's played so far in the season.
Rhianna Southby
Another wildcard name who could earn a debut call-up is wicket-keeper Rhianna Southby. Widely recognised as the best wicketkeeper in the country, a sticking point on her selection previously has been her returns with the bat. However, promoted to No.5 for the first match of the season, she scored an innings-saving 72 amid a dramatic collapse. There's every possibility that Edwards – who was instrumental in bringing Southby to Hampshire when she was in charge of the side – could consider a specialist keeper, especially if Amy Jones moves to the top of the order. While Southby's selection for the ODI side would be left-field, it's not out of the question.
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