Davina Perrin did not make the final list for England's squad in the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, while the selectors have handed a debut opportunity to 18‑year‑old Surrey spinner Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, who has yet to earn an international cap. The tournament will be staged on home soil, and Nat Sciver‑Brunt has been appointed captain for what will be her seventh appearance at a T20 World Cup. Corteen‑Coleman joins a youthful contingent that also features Warwickshire pacer Issy Wong and Durham all‑rounder Lauren Filer, both of whom are experiencing a first‑time World Cup selection. Veteran Danni Wyatt‑Hodge of Surrey will be playing in her eighth T20 World Cup, bringing a wealth of experience to the side.
The squad’s leadership core includes vice‑captain Charlie Dean from Somerset, a highly regarded all‑rounder, while fast‑bowling spearhead Lauren Bell of Hampshire is expected to lead the attack with the new ball. Head coach Charlotte Edwards explained the difficulty of the selection process: "There is no doubt that it has been incredibly tough to get to these 15 names. This is the hardest set of selection meetings I have been a part of because the pool of players to choose from is so strong and so many talented players have put their hand up to be a part of the squad, which is exactly what we want. That is the nature of world‑class sport, and it is a privilege we don't take lightly to be able to make these difficult decisions.
An ICC Women's T20 World Cup on home soil is a special moment for the game in this country, and we are all really motivated by what could be ahead for this group of players and what they can achieve this summer." Sciver‑Brunt added her own perspective on leading the team at home: "It is a huge honour to be leading England into a T20 World Cup at home in front of family and friends and all our passionate supporters. We have all been looking forward to this summer and this tournament for some time now and the naming of the squad means it is almost here and we can't wait to get out onto the field and give it everything to win this World Cup again. I know how much winning in 2009 meant to the players and to Charlotte Edwards as captain, and being in the team under Heather Knight's leadership for the 2017 ODI World Cup win was incredibly special. Now the aim is to do something similar with this fantastic group of players who I know are putting their heart and soul into achieving our goal, and that hard work will continue right throughout the summer as we start with games against New Zealand and India before that tournament begins." Corteen‑Coleman's inclusion is a personal milestone.
The same coach who awarded her a Kent cap at the age of 11 has now placed her in the senior England squad. The teenager expressed her excitement: "I got the good news which I was absolutely buzzing with.
I've been on cloud nine ever since. Being a fresh face, people haven't had that exposure against me which does make a big difference.
I love performing under pressure. I've had that exposure in front of crowds for domestic and county cricket but also in The Hundred. You won't know until you're there but I feel like I've got a great support network around me and I'm as ready as I can be." Historically, England's performances at recent World Cups have been mixed, with group‑stage exits in both 2010 and the upcoming 2024 edition. Nevertheless, the squad is brimming with talent and depth, and analysts such as Sky Sports' Tash Farrant see the selection of Corteen‑Coleman as a blend of potential and proven ability.
"She was picked up for over £100k just a couple of months ago. People could think that she was picked on just for her potential because she's only 18, but also, she's tried and tested in The Hundred format, playing for the Southern Brave. She's won that competition once for them.
She has been picked on potential, but more so because she has bowled brilliantly against some of the best players and she has really impressed Charlotte Edwards," Farrant explained. Former England bowler and current commentator Charlotte Atherton highlighted the key figures to watch: "I've got to go with the captain, Nat Sciver‑Brunt. It's very important at a home tournament, with a lot of scrutiny, a lot of pressure, a lot of expectation.
The captain and the leader as a driving force and obviously one of the best players as well, which Nat Sciver‑Brunt is. Opening bowler Lauren Bell, in English conditions, opening bowling, it's very important to find that movement with the new ball." Heather Knight, the current England captain, has spoken about the broader ambition of the home World Cup: creating a lasting legacy for women's cricket similar to the impact the Lionesses (football) and Red Roses (rugby) have had.
She noted that the sport's landscape has shifted dramatically since England's 2017 triumph, with the Lionesses winning consecutive European Championships in 2022 and 2025, and the Red Roses capturing the Rugby World Cup at a sold‑out Twickenham. Knight emphasized that a successful campaign could inspire a new generation of girls to view cricket as a normal and exciting pathway.
Beyond the World Cup, the selectors have announced squads for the Metro Bank One‑Day series against New Zealand and the Vitality IT20 series against New Zealand and India that will follow the tournament. Five additional players have been added to the ODI squad for the three‑match series, including first‑time call‑ups Kira Chathli and Jodi Grewcock. Established stars Sophia Dunkley, Charlie Dean and Danni Wyatt‑Hodge will sit out the ODI series to manage workload, with Wyatt‑Hodge also preparing for the birth of her first child. Sarah Glenn remains unavailable as she continues rehabilitation from a broken finger.
Fans can watch England's matches live on Sky Sports, with selected games streamed for free via the Sky Sports app, and a contract‑free streaming option available on NOW. The excitement surrounding the tournament, the blend of seasoned veterans and fresh talent, and the chance to cement a legacy for women's cricket in England make this World Cup a pivotal moment for the sport.