Bess Heath named in England Women’s squad to take on New Zealand

Diamonds’ keeper and power-hitting batter Heath, nicknamed BAM, because of her initials Bess Alice May, has been included while opener Sophia Dunkley is recalled to an otherwise unchanged group from those who sealed a T20 series victory against Pakistan in May.

Southern Vipers’ Freya Kemp will be available as an all-rounder during the series after being named as a batter against Pakistan.

Bess Heath of England smiles during an England women’s squad training session at Seddon Park on April 03, 2024 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

The two sides begin the IT20 series in Southampton (6 July) before matches in Hove (9 July) and Canterbury (11 July), finishing with two London fixtures at the Kia Oval and Lord’s on 13 and 17 July respectively.

This series follows three ODIs against the same opposition at Durham (26 June) Worcester (30 June) and Bristol (3 July).

Tickets for the ODI and T20 series’ are available here.

Head coach Jon Lewis said: “This five-match series against a strong New Zealand side is really important for us and also vital preparation as we build towards the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

“We are pleased to welcome Freya Kemp back as an all-rounder and we will hopefully see her bowl across this series as she returns from injury.

“Sophia Dunkley comes back into the squad after showing good form at regional level, she has earned the right to be in this squad.

“Mahika Gaur is not available to play due to a small side strain. We will look to have her in and around the squad preparing to return to play.”

England Women T20 squad to take on New Zealand

Heather Knight (C; Western Storm)

Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)

Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers)

Alice ⁠Capsey (South East Stars)

Charlie ⁠Dean (Southern Vipers)

Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)

Sophie ⁠Ecclestone (Thunder)

Lauren Filer (Western Storm)

Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)

Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)

⁠Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds)

Amy ⁠Jones (Central Sparks)

Freya ⁠Kemp (Southern Vipers)

Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)

Linsey Smith (Southern Vipers)

Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)

Women’s IT20 Series v New Zealand Women

6 July: 1^st Women’s IT20 – The Ageas Bowl, Southampton

9 July: 2^nd Women’s IT20 – The 1^st Central County Ground, Hove

11 July: 3^rd Women’s IT20 – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence

13 July: 4^th Women’s IT20 – The Kia Oval, London

17 July: 5^th Women’s IT20 – Lord’s, London