Charlie Dean has been named to lead the England women's cricket side in the upcoming three‑match One Day International series against Ireland in September. Dean first took on the captaincy duties earlier in the season when she stepped in for an injured Nat Sciver‑Brunt during a series against New Zealand, and now she will cap off the summer with a further trio of ODIs.
Both Sciver‑Brunt and Danni Wyatt‑Hodge have been omitted from the squad as part of a deliberate plan to manage their fitness and allow them time to recover fully. In addition, regular bowlers Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell are also missing from the list, creating opportunities for a broader pool of talent to be assessed. With Amy Jones unavailable, Alice Capsey has been handed the gloves, taking on wicket‑keeping responsibilities while also contributing as a top‑order batter.
The decision to leave out five senior players, including the two mentioned, is being framed as a strategic move to deepen and widen the talent base for England's ODI program. Dean will command a 15‑player group that blends seasoned internationals with newcomers eager to make their mark at the highest level. The only uncapped members are seam bowler Grace Potts and keeper‑batter Kira Chathli, both of whom have already spent time with England squads earlier in the summer and are now poised to earn their first senior caps.
Joining them is all‑rounder Charis Pavely, a regular in the England A side who has featured in two Twenty20 Internationals but is still awaiting her ODI debut. Returning after a long lay‑off due to a lower‑back injury sustained last year is Ryana MacDonald‑Gay, who will be looking to re‑establish herself in the senior set‑up. The squad also includes eight players who featured in England's run to the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, where the team finished as runners‑up. Among them is left‑arm spinner Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, who will be hoping to build on the two ODI appearances she made against New Zealand earlier in the year.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards commented on the selection, saying: "It has been an incredible summer for women's cricket already, and these three Metro Bank ODI matches against Ireland are an important part of rounding off our season. 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 gain valuable experience for the future. "We have plenty of exciting and talented cricketers in our game and this series provides an opportunity for some of them to push themselves further forward, hopefully contributing to England victories and putting pressure on future selection," Edwards added.
The schedule for the series is as follows: - September 1: England Women vs Ireland Women at Uptonsteel Grace Road, Leicester, 1 pm. - September 3: England Women vs Ireland Women at The OurCoop County Ground, Derby, 1 pm. - September 6: England Women vs Ireland Women at New Road, Worcester, 10:30 am.
The playing XI for the series is expected to feature a mix of established stars and emerging talent. Notable names include Maia Bouchier (Hampshire), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Kira Chathli (Surrey), Tilly Corteen‑Coleman (Surrey), Charlie Dean (captain, 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) and Issy Wong (Warwickshire).
The series will be streamed on the NOW platform, and fans can also follow live commentary via the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. Full scorecards and match updates will be available on the Sky Sports app, with a recommendation to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. This series not only offers a competitive platform for England's evolving squad but also serves as a crucial stepping stone for players aiming to cement their places ahead of future international fixtures and major tournaments.