Charlie Dean has been named captain of the England women's cricket team for the upcoming three‑match One Day International (ODI) series against Ireland in September. This appointment follows her stint as stand‑in captain earlier in the season when she led the side in an ODI series against New Zealand after Nat Sciver‑Brunt was forced out with an injury.
Dean will now close out the summer with three more ODIs at the helm. The squad for the series has been trimmed deliberately, with several senior players left out to manage workloads and allow recovery time.
Both Nat Sciver‑Brunt and Danni Wyatt‑Hodge have been omitted on the grounds of "managing fitness and recovery", while all‑rounder Sophie Ecclestone and bowler Lauren Bell are also not in the 15‑player group. In the wicket‑keeping department, Alice Capsey steps in for Amy Jones, who is among the five senior players rested.
The England board has explained that these decisions are part of a broader strategy to "widen and deepen the pool of players for England Women in ODI cricket". Dean's squad is a blend of seasoned internationals and fresh faces eager to make their mark at the highest level. The only uncapped players named are seam bowler Grace Potts and keeper‑batter Kira Chathli, both of whom have been involved in England set‑ups earlier in the summer but have yet to make their senior debut.
They join all‑rounder Charis Pavely, a regular in the England A side who has already featured in two Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and will be looking for her first ODI appearance. Returning after a lengthy rehabilitation from a lower‑back injury sustained last year is Ryana MacDonald‑Gay, who is hoping to re‑establish herself in the senior squad. The selection also includes eight players who were part of the England team that finished as runners‑up at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup earlier this year. Among them is left‑arm spinner Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, who will be hoping to build on the two ODI caps she earned against New Zealand.
The full roster features: - Maia Bouchier (Hampshire) - Alice Capsey (Surrey) - Kira Chathli (Surrey) - Tilly Corteen‑Coleman (Surrey) - Charlie Dean (c) (Somerset) - Sophia Dunkley (Surrey) - Lauren Filer (Durham) - Dani Gibson (Somerset) - Jodi Grewcock (Essex) - Freya Kemp (Hampshire) - Ryana MacDonald‑Gay (Surrey) - Charis Pavely (Warwickshire) - Grace Potts (Lancashire) - Mady Villiers (Durham) - Issy Wong (Warwickshire) The series will be played across three venues: the first match on 1 September at Uptonsteel Grace Road in Leicester (kick‑off 1 pm), the second on 3 September at The OurCoop County Ground in Derby (1 pm), and the final encounter on 6 September at New Road in Worcester (10:30 am). These fixtures provide a valuable platform for the newer members of the squad to gain experience in the 50‑over format, complementing the team's recent focus on T20 cricket. Head coach Charlotte Edwards highlighted the significance of the series, saying: "It has been an incredible summer for women's cricket already, and these three Metro Bank ODI matches against Ireland make up an important series for us to complete our summer.
The focus has rightly been on T20 cricket for much of this year, but with a memorable run to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup final now behind us, this is a chance for players to display their 50‑over skills and bank some valuable experience for the future. We have got plenty of exciting and talented cricketers in our game and this is an opportunity for some of them to push themselves further forward by hopefully contributing to England victories and putting pressure on future selection." The decision to rest several high‑profile players is also a strategic move to broaden the talent pool. By giving opportunities to emerging players such as Potts, Chathli, Pavely and MacDonald‑Gay, England aims to build depth and resilience for future tournaments, including the upcoming World Cup cycles. The blend of experience and youth should also give Dean a supportive environment as she leads the side, allowing her to experiment with tactics and batting orders while maintaining a competitive edge.
Fans can follow the action live on the NOW platform, tune into the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast for behind‑the‑scenes insights, and keep up with daily scorecards on the Sky Sports website or app. For the best viewing experience, a Chrome browser is recommended for the video player. Overall, the England women's team enters the Ireland series with a clear objective: to consolidate the progress made during a landmark summer, provide meaningful game time to a wider group of players, and finish the season on a high note with a series win. The matches will not only test the adaptability of the squad but also serve as a stepping stone for the next generation of England cricketers aiming to cement their places in the national side.