Two uncapped players in England’s Test squad for Women’s Ashes 2023

Western Storm players Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson are the two uncapped faces to find a place in England Women's 15-member Test squad for the upcoming home Ashes series.

The Women's Ashes 2023 will be a multi-format series comprising of a one-off Test, three T20Is and three ODIs. The Test carries four points, while each of the T20Is and ODIs carry two points each. 

The Heather Knight-led outfit are joined by the medium pacer Filer and the all-rounder Gibson. Filer has been a top notch performer with the ball for her domestic outfit, Western Storm, in their last two campaigns. Gibson, on the other hand, has been the top wicket taker for her side in this season's Charlotte Edwards Cup. She was also a travelling reserve with the England squad in this year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

England's head coach Jon Lewis was excited about the upcoming series and talked about his new recruits. 

“We are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting Ashes series. We are fortunate that our talent pool is growing fast, this has enabled us to pick a nicely balanced squad," Lewis stated.

“Dani (Danielle Gibson) is one of the form cricketer’s in the country, she is improving both with bat and ball and if selected in the team, offers us a dynamic cricketer who can change the momentum of the game.

“Lauren is a genuine wicket-taking threat with good pace and swing. Again, if selected in the playing 11, she offers us a point of difference in our bowling attack that could impact a Test match at any point in the game. Our preparations are going well and this week’s upcoming games against Australia A and Australia give us another great opportunity to rehearse for the Test match next week.

“To have two Ashes series running alongside each other is very special and we look forward to entertaining our fans and gaining some new ones along the way.”

The squad will feature in a three-day warm-up fixture against Australia A at Incora County Ground, Derbyshire between 15-17 June. At the same time, an England A side, led by Lauren Winfield-Hill, will play against Australia in a three-day warm-up at Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicestershire. This side will feature England senior squad members Alice Davidson-Richards and Danielle Wyatt.

England will subsequently kick off the Ashes with the one-off Test from 22 June. This will be followed by the T20I and ODI series respectively.

The upcoming Test match at Trent Bridge will be England Women's first-ever five-day contest at home. (ICC)

England Women's Ashes squad:

Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt (vc), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Issy Wong, Danielle Wyatt 

Women's Ashes Schedule

• First Test 22-26 June, Trent Bridge, Nottingham 
• First T20I 1 July,  Edgbaston, Birmingham 
• Second T20I 5 July, The Kia Oval, London 
• Third T20I 8 July, Lord’s, London 
• First ODI 12 July, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
• Second ODI 16 July, Ageas Bowl, Southampton
• Third ODI 18 July, Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

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