Charlotte Edwards has spoken candidly about the "hard decision" to leave Tammy Beaumont out of England's upcoming Women's T20 World Cup roster, while also indicating that the veteran could still earn a place in the Test side that will face India at Lord's in July. The England head coach revealed her 15‑player World Cup lineup on Tuesday, highlighting the surprise inclusion of 18‑year‑old uncapped all‑rounder Tilly Corteen‑Coleman. Beaumont, now 35, debuted for England in both T20 Internationals and One‑Day Internationals back in November 2009 and has since become the second‑most prolific run‑scorer in the women's ODI history for the country. Her batting heroics were instrumental in England's triumph at the 2017 Cricket World Cup, where she was named Player of the Tournament and finished as the competition's leading run‑getter.
The final squad also featured Nat Sciver‑Brunt (captain), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danni Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong and Danni Wyatt‑Hodge. "It was a really tough decision and a really close one," Edwards told Sky Sports when asked about Beaumont's omission.
"Unfortunately, Tammy did miss out. It's never easy phoning someone and giving them that news.
I'm really happy with the squad we've gone with, and it was incredibly difficult to select." She added, "It was a difficult phone call – as they always are – and as they are with many of the players because it's a home World Cup and it's a really special event." Edwards promised a follow‑up conversation with Beaumont in the coming days, saying, "I'll have a follow‑up conversation with Tammy over the next few days and talk to her about it, I'm sure." Beaumont had enjoyed a standout Women's Big Bash League season with the Adelaide Strikers over the Australian summer, accumulating 234 runs and ranking 12th on the league's overall run‑scorer list. "There's still life left in Tammy Beaumont," Edwards affirmed. "She's obviously missed out on a T20 World Cup, but we've got a Test match at the end of the summer. We'll be picking the best team possible for that." Another young talent left out of the World Cup squad was 19‑year‑old Davina Perrin.
Edwards highlighted Perrin's potential, noting, "Davina is a really wonderful young talent. She performed really well last year in The Hundred. She narrowly missed out for this competition but I think her time will come in the future." Edwards also praised Corteen‑Coleman's meteoric rise. The left‑arm spinner had an impressive second season in The Hundred in 2025 after being drafted by Southern Brave in 2024, claiming 11 wickets and placing herself among the top‑10 bowlers for the tournament.
"What a rise into professional cricket she has had," Edwards said. "A 16‑year‑old playing in The Hundred and then two years later being selected for England. She's just had an incredible two years.
She's performed, and that's ultimately what we've asked the players to do. Her age has not really been taken into account. She's conducted herself brilliantly over the last six months with the squad, spent lots of time with us, and we're really confident she can deliver on the big stage." Corteen‑Coleman will join two other left‑arm spinners in Edwards' squad – Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith – alongside off‑spinner Charlie Dean.
When asked about the heavy reliance on left‑arm spin, Edwards explained, "Statistically, left‑arm spinners have been really successful in women's T20 cricket. We want options in our squad but also, ultimately, spinners to be effective. I know it's three left‑armers, but if they're your three best spinners, then we're going to go with that." Looking ahead, Edwards emphasized that the side is determined to rebound from the disappointment of an early exit in the 2024 WT20I World Cup group stage.
"I think we're a very different team. We're coming here to win it. We know it's going to be really hard. There's some wonderful teams out there.
But to be able to think that we can play in a World Cup final at Lord's is motivating us every day." She continued, "They're just always special events. But to be part of a home World Cup with a final at Lord's, I don't think it gets much better. This team are really excited about that prospect and are looking forward to doing something really special." Fans can watch the Women's T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports, with selected matches available for free streaming via the Sky Sports app.
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