England is gearing up for their T20 series against New Zealand, with head coach Jon Lewis announcing a 16-player squad. The team is placing their hopes on all-rounder Freya Kemp’s bowling skills as they prepare to face a strong New Zealand side. Kemp, who has played 16 T20s and two one-day internationals for England, is set to return to bowling after multiple stress fractures of the back kept her sidelined.
In addition to Kemp, batter Sophia Dunkley is making a comeback to the squad after showcasing good form at the regional level. The rest of the team remains unchanged from their victorious T20 series against Pakistan in May. However, left-arm seamer Mahika Gaur, 18, will be unavailable for the series due to a minor side strain.
Despite Gaur’s absence, the team is confident in their lineup and is looking forward to the challenge presented by New Zealand. Head coach Jon Lewis expressed his excitement about having Kemp back as an all-rounder and is hopeful that she will be able to contribute with her bowling skills throughout the series.
The T20 series, which consists of five matches, is seen as crucial for England as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The series kicks off in Southampton on 6 July, following a three-match ODI series starting on 26 June. The final T20 match at Lord’s on 17 July will be broadcast live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, with commentary available on BBC Sounds.
The England squad for the T20 series includes familiar names such as captain Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone, and Nat Sciver-Brunt. The team is eager to showcase their talent and compete against New Zealand in what promises to be an exciting series.
Fans can mark their calendars for the following T20 matches between England and New Zealand:
– 6 July: First T20 at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
– 9 July: Second T20 at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove
– 11 July: Third T20 at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence
– 13 July: Fourth T20 at The Kia Oval, London
– 17 July: Fifth T20 at Lord’s, London
As England prepares to take on New Zealand in the T20 series, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating some thrilling matches between the two competitive teams. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the series as the action unfolds on the cricket field.