Charlie Dean has been named the captain of the England Women’s side for the upcoming three‑match One Day International (ODI) series against Ireland, scheduled for September. Dean first took on the captaincy role earlier in the season when she stood in for Nat Sciver‑Brunt, who was sidelined with an injury during an ODI series against New Zealand. This appointment gives Dean the chance to lead the team through three additional ODIs and to cement her leadership credentials on the international stage.
The squad for the Ireland series has been trimmed deliberately, with several senior players omitted as part of a broader strategy to manage workloads and broaden the talent pool. Both Nat Sciver‑Brunt and Danni Wyatt‑Hodge have been left out of the selection, with the official statement citing "managing fitness and recovery" as the primary reason. In addition, fast‑bowling all‑rounder Sophie Ecclestone and left‑arm pacer Lauren Bell have also not been called up. Their absence, along with that of regular wicket‑keeper Amy Jones, opens opportunities for younger players to experience senior international cricket.
Alice Capsey will assume wicket‑keeping duties in Jones’s place, further highlighting England’s commitment to developing versatile talent. The 15‑player roster blends seasoned internationals with a handful of newcomers eager to make their mark. Among the uncapped members are seam bowler Grace Potts and keeper‑batter Kira Chathli, both of whom have been part of England’s wider squads earlier in the summer but have yet to debut in a senior match. They join all‑rounder Charis Pavely, who has featured in two Women’s Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is) for England A and is now poised to earn her first ODI cap.
Returning from a serious lower‑back injury sustained last year, Ryana MacDonald‑Gay also makes the squad, providing depth in the batting order and a reminder of the resilience required at the elite level. The selection also reflects continuity from England’s recent success at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where the side finished as runners‑up. Eight players from that tournament are included, among them left‑arm spinner Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, who will be looking to add to the two ODI appearances she earned against New Zealand earlier in the year.
Their experience in high‑pressure matches will be invaluable as the team transitions back to the 50‑over format. Head coach Charlotte Edwards emphasized the importance of the series for player development and squad rotation. "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," she said. Edwards noted that while the focus of the season has largely been on T20 cricket, the conclusion of the World Cup campaign provides a natural segue into showcasing the team’s 50‑over capabilities.
"This is a chance for players to display their 50‑over skills and bank some valuable experience for the future," she added. Edwards also highlighted the strategic aim of widening the selection base. "We have 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," she explained.
By rotating senior players and introducing fresh faces, the England setup hopes to build a robust pipeline that can sustain success across formats. The fixtures are set across three venues in the Midlands. The first ODI will be played at Uptonsteel Grace Road in Leicester on September 1 at 1 pm local time.
The second match follows on September 3 at the OurCoop County Ground in Derby, also kicking off at 1 pm. The series will conclude at New Road in Worcester on September 6, with a 10:30 am start. Fans can stream the games via the NOW platform, listen to analysis on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, and keep up with live scores through the Sky Sports app. For the best viewing experience, a Chrome browser is recommended for the video player.
The full squad list is as follows: 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), and Issy Wong (Warwickshire). This blend of experience and youth underscores England’s long‑term vision for sustained competitiveness in women's ODI cricket.
Overall, the series against Ireland offers a valuable platform for England to test emerging talent, fine‑tune strategies for the longer format, and maintain momentum heading into future international commitments. With Dean at the helm and a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising newcomers, the team is well‑positioned to deliver compelling performances and continue the upward trajectory of women’s cricket in England.