Charlotte Edwards has spoken candidly about the "hard decision" to leave veteran batter 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 announced her 15-player World Cup squad on Tuesday, highlighting the surprising inclusion of 18‑year‑old uncapped all‑rounder Tilly Corteen‑Coleman as a headline selection.
Beaumont, now 35, made her debut in both T20 Internationals and One‑Day Internationals for England back in November 2009. Over the ensuing years she has climbed the statistical ladder to become the second‑highest run‑scorer in England Women's ODI history.
Her prolific batting was instrumental in England's triumph at the 2017 Cricket World Cup, where she was named Player of the Tournament and finished as the leading run‑getter. The full squad list reads: 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 painful, especially because the tournament will be held on home soil and carries a special significance for every player. "I'll have a follow‑up conversation with Tammy over the next few days and talk to her about it, I'm sure," Edwards said, emphasizing that the dialogue would remain open. Beaumont's recent form in the Women's Big Bash League was impressive; she scored 234 runs for the Adelaide Strikers during the winter season, placing her twelfth on the competition's overall run‑scoring chart.
Edwards used that performance to underline that Beaumont still has much to offer. "There's still life left in Tammy Beaumont," she 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 young talent who did not make the World Cup list was 19‑year‑old Davina Perrin.
Edwards praised Perrin's potential, noting her strong showing in The Hundred last year. "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." The coach also lauded Corteen‑Coleman's meteoric rise. The left‑arm spinner enjoyed a breakout second season in The Hundred in 2025 after being drafted by Southern Brave in 2024, claiming 11 wickets and ranking among the top ten bowlers for the campaign.
"What a rise into professional cricket she has had," Edwards commented. "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 the squad – Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith – with off‑spinner Charlie Dean providing additional variety.
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." Edwards also reflected on England's disappointing exit at the group stage of the 2024 WT20I World Cup, insisting the team has learned valuable lessons and is now a very different side. "We're coming here to win it. We know it's going to be really hard.
There are 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 highlighted the unique allure of a home World Cup, especially with a final scheduled at the iconic Lord's ground.
"These are always special events. 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 catch 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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