Heather Knight’s England team is set for a landmark tour in South Africa, featuring three T20 Internationals (T20Is), three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and a four-day Test match. This tour will mark a significant event as it includes South Africa’s first women’s Test match on home soil since 2002. England’s squad blends experience with fresh talent, including several players who could make their Test debut.
Squad insights and injury update
All-rounder Paige Scholfield, who debuted in September’s Ireland series, is in the T20 squad, while fast bowler Lauren Filer has been named across all three formats. Explosive batter Alice Capsey failed to find her place in the shortest format . Freya Kemp will join the Test squad for the first time, with Maia Bouchier also in line for a potential Test debut. The Test squad is bolstered by key players like captain Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt and the versatile Sophie Ecclestone. All-rounder Danielle Gibson will miss the tour due to a knee meniscus injury sustained during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 against the West Indies. Her absence is a blow to England’s squad depth, but the team is confident in its strong lineup.
Key matches, fixtures, training and preparations
The tour kicks off with the T20I series on November 24, moving to ODIs in early December, and culminating with the historic four-day Test at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein from December 15-18. This multi-format setup gives England a chance to test their depth and flexibility across formats in varying conditions. Ahead of their departure, England’s non–Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) players have been training at Loughborough to prepare for the challenges in South Africa. The T20 squad is set to fly out on November 16, while ODI and Test squad members will join them on November 27, ensuring the team is well-prepared for all formats.
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England Women’s complete squads for the South Africa tour
- IT20 Squad: Heather Knight (captain), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Paige Scholfield, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
- ODI Squad: Heather Knight (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
- Test Squad: Heather Knight (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Tour schedule: T20Is, ODIs and a Test:
1. T20I Series
- Nov 24: South Africa vs England – Buffalo Park, East London
- Nov 27: South Africa vs England – Willowmoore Park, Benoni
- Nov 30: South Africa vs England – SuperSport Park, Centurion
2. ODI Series
- Dec 4: South Africa vs England – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley
- Dec 8: South Africa vs England – Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
- Dec 11: South Africa vs England – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
3. Test Match
- Dec 15-18: South Africa vs England – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.