Charlie Dean has been handed the captaincy of the England women's cricket side for the upcoming three‑match One Day International (ODI) series against Ireland, scheduled for September. This appointment follows her stint as stand‑in skipper earlier in the season when she led the side against New Zealand after Nat Sciver‑Brunt was sidelined with injury.
Dean now closes out the summer with three further ODIs under her leadership. The selection panel has opted to rest several senior players, citing the need to manage fitness and recovery. Both Nat Sciver‑Brunt and Danni Wyatt‑Hodge are omitted from the squad, as are all‑rounder Sophie Ecclestone and fast bowler Lauren Bell.
In the wicket‑keeping department, Alice Capsey steps in for Amy Jones, who is also among the five experienced players left out of this series. The board has explained that this approach is intended to broaden and deepen the talent pool for England women's ODI cricket, giving emerging players a chance to prove themselves on the international stage.
Dean will lead a 15‑member group that blends seasoned campaigners with newcomers eager to make their first impression at the highest level. Among the uncapped names are seam bowler Grace Potts and keeper‑batter Kira Chathli, both of whom have been involved in England squads earlier in the summer but have yet to debut in an official match.
The squad also includes England A all‑rounder Charis Pavely, who has featured in two Twenty20 Internationals and is now eyeing her ODI debut. Returning after a lengthy rehabilitation from a lower‑back injury is Ryana MacDonald‑Gay, who last featured for England before her injury lay‑off.
The lineup is further strengthened by eight players who were part of the side that finished second at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Left‑arm spinner Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, for instance, will be looking to build on the two ODI caps she earned against New Zealand earlier in the year.
The full roster lists: - Maia Bouchier (Hampshire) - Alice Capsey (Surrey) - Kira Chathli (Surrey) - Tilly Corteen‑Coleman (Surrey) - Charlie Dean (c) (Somerset) - Sophia Dunkley (Surrey) - Lauren Filer (Durby) - Dani Gibson (Somerset) - Jodi Grewcock (Essex) - Freya Kemp (Hampshire) - Ryana MacDonald‑Gay (Surrey) - Charis Pavely (Warwickshire) - Grace Potts (Lancashire) - Mady Villiers (Durby) - Issy Wong (Warwickshire) The series will be contested at three venues across England. The first match takes place on 1 September at Uptonsteel Grace Road in Leicester, with a 1 pm start. The second fixture follows on 3 September at the OurCoop County Ground in Derby, also kicking off at 1 pm. The final encounter is scheduled for 6 September at New Road in Worcester, beginning at 10:30 am.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards commented on the strategic importance of the series: "It has been an incredible summer for women's cricket already, and these three Metro Bank ODI matches against Ireland provide a vital closing chapter to our season. The focus has rightly been on T20 cricket for much of this year, but with the memorable run to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup final now behind us, this is a chance for players to showcase their 50‑over abilities and gain valuable experience for the future." Edwards added that the selection policy aims to give a broader set of players the opportunity to contribute: "We have plenty of exciting and talented cricketers in our game, and this series is an opportunity for some of them to push themselves further, hopefully helping England secure victories and putting pressure on future selection decisions." Beyond the on‑field action, fans can follow the matches through various digital platforms.
England cricket will be streamed live via the NOW service, and additional coverage—including highlights, analysis, and the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast—will be available for listeners. The Sky Sports app offers a convenient way to keep up with scores, and the website recommends using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback.
Overall, the series serves a dual purpose: it provides a competitive platform for England to fine‑tune its ODI strategy ahead of upcoming international commitments, and it offers emerging talent a stage to demonstrate that they belong at the top level. With Dean at the helm and a blend of experience and youthful enthusiasm in the squad, England Women aim to secure a series win and continue building momentum for the next phase of their cricketing calendar.