Charlotte Edwards has spoken candidly about the "hard decision" to leave Tammy Beaumont out of England's roster for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, while also indicating that Beaumont 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 squad on Tuesday, highlighting the surprising inclusion of 18‑year‑old, uncapped all‑rounder Tilly Corteen‑Coleman as a headline pick.
Beaumont, now 35, first appeared for England in both T20 Internationals and One‑Day Internationals back in November 2009. Over the ensuing years she has climbed to become the second‑most prolific run‑scorer for England Women in ODI history. Her batting heroics were pivotal 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 list 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 that the phone call was especially painful because the tournament will be staged on home soil, making it a "really special event" for every player involved.
"I'll have a follow‑up conversation with Tammy over the next few days and talk to her about it, I'm sure," Edwards promised. Beaumont has just completed a strong Women's Big Bash League stint with the Adelaide Strikers, accumulating 234 runs for the season and ranking twelfth on the WBBL's overall run‑scorer list. "There's still life left in Tammy Beaumont," Edwards remarked.
"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 name left out of the World Cup squad was 19‑year‑old Davina Perrin.
Edwards was quick to reassure fans that the young top‑order batter has a bright future with England. "Davina is a really wonderful young talent. She performed really well last year in The Hundred," Edwards said. "She narrowly missed out for this competition but I think her time will come in the future." Edwards also praised Corteen‑Coleman for her meteoric rise.
The 18‑year‑old left‑arm spinner enjoyed a standout second year 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 season. "What a rise into professional cricket she has had," Edwards observed. "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." Corteen‑Coleman's age was not a factor in the selection process; Edwards emphasized that performance over the past six months earned her a spot. "She has conducted herself brilliantly with the squad, spent lots of time with us, and we're really confident she can deliver on the big stage," Edwards said. The spin department now includes three left‑arm bowlers—Corteen‑Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith—supported by off‑spinner Charlie Dean.
When asked about the heavy left‑arm representation, 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 with that." Looking ahead, Edwards expressed optimism that the side can rebound from the disappointing group‑stage exit at the 2024 WT20I World Cup. "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 said. She highlighted the unique allure of a home World Cup, especially with a final scheduled at the historic Lord's ground.
"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," Edwards concluded.
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. Those without a Sky subscription can also stream cricket without a contract on NOW.