Paige Scholfield, the first pick in the Women’s Hundred draft, has been selected for England A’s tour of Australia, aiming to recover from a recent Ashes whitewash. Retained by the Oval Invincibles for £65,000, Scholfield missed the initial senior tour due to an ankle injury. She will join senior players Alice Capsey, Danielle Gibson, Bess Heath, and Freya Kemp in a development squad for three T20Is, three ODIs, and a four-day game against Australia A from April 12-15. The team has been training in Abu Dhabi before departing for Sydney on March 17, seeking to gain valuable experience against a strong Australian side.
Although Scholfield would have been a fifth member of that previous squad, a previous ankle injury sustained during England’s tour of South Africa in November prevented her from joining, meaning she returned home before adding to her current tally of three ODI and two T20I caps.
She will be joining senior players Alice Capsey, Danielle Gibson, Bess Heath, and Freya Kemp in the England A team, which is scheduled to play three T20Is, three ODIs, and a single four-day match against Australia A from April 12-15, replicating the itinerary in which England faced defeat in the Ashes. Capsey and Gibson are currently participating in the WPL in India, which means they will miss the T20I matches commencing at Sydney’s Hurstville Oval on March 26.
Scholfield will be accompanied by players from the England Women Pace Programme, including her Surrey teammates Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Emma Jones (T20 and 50-over), and Alexa Stonehouse, who is selected for all formats. Currently, no captains for the three formats have been announced.
The majority of the squad members have been engaged in warm-weather training at a camp in Abu Dhabi and are set to depart for Sydney on March 17.
Jon Lewis, head coach of England Women A, remarked: “We are excited to challenge ourselves against a national side known for its depth. We acknowledge the challenge ahead.
“Our players in England and those competing globally during the winter have done commendable work, and this tour provides an opportunity for players to vie for selection into the senior squad with strong performances against the Australians.”
Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women’s Cricket, added: “We have a great mix of experience across the three squads, with all players looking to perform and earn a spot on the senior team. The experience they will gain from competitive matches in a multi-format schedule should be incredibly valuable for their development. A tour to Australia is a dream for many young cricketers, and we wish them all the best.”
England Women A T20 squad: Hollie Armitage (Durham), Georgia Davis (Warwickshire), Mahika Gaur (Lancashire), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Bess Heath (Durham), Emma Jones (Surrey), Freya Kemp (Hampshire), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Surrey), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Paige Scholfield (Surrey), Grace Scrivens (Essex), Seren Smale (Lancashire), Bryony Smith (Surrey), Alexa Stonehouse (Surrey), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)
England Women A 50-over squad: Hollie Armitage (Durham), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Georgia Davis (Warwickshire), Mahika Gaur (Lancashire), Danielle Gibson (Somerset), Kirstie Gordon (The Blaze), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Bess Heath (Durham), Emma Jones (Surrey), Freya Kemp (Hampshire), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Surrey), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Paige Scholfield (Surrey), Grace Scrivens (Essex), Seren Smale (Lancashire), Bryony Smith (Surrey), Alexa Stonehouse (Surrey), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)
England Women A four-day squad: Hollie Armitage (Durham), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Georgia Davis (Warwickshire), Danielle Gibson (Somerset), Kirstie Gordon (The Blaze), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Bess Heath (Durham), Freya Kemp (Hampshire), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Paige Scholfield (Surrey), Grace Scrivens (Essex), Seren Smale (Lancashire), Alexa Stonehouse (Surrey), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)