Kate Cross Returns to England Squad for Women's Ashes

Kate Cross has made the squad for the upcoming Women’s Ashes series in Australia after recovering from a recent injury. The 33-year-old had sidelined herself due to a back spasm during the third one-day international against South Africa earlier this month which caused her to miss the one-off Test against the Proteas. Kate Cross has now joined both the ODI and Test squads for the Ashes. The series starting next month will see England’s captain, Heather Knight lead the team across all formats.

The series includes three ODIs, three T20s and a four-day Test match. All-rounder Danielle Gibson, who missed the South Africa tour due to a knee injury has returned to the squad. First-time Ashes call-ups include all-rounder Freya Kemp, spinner Linsey Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Bess Heath. Ryana MacDonald-Gay has kept her place in the red-ball squad after impressing with two wickets on debut earlier this month.

England head coach Jon Lewis praised the squad’s balance, saying, “We have named balanced squads for this Ashes with a good mix of youth and experience. Ashes series are always special.” Key players like Maia Bouchier, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt-Hodge will feature in all three formats.

England’s tour begins with a 50-over warm-up match against the Governor General’s XI on January 9 followed by ODIs in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart. The T20 series starts on January 20 in Sydney, Canberra, and Adelaide and the Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will start on January 30. The 2023 Ashes series ended in a draw with England winning both the white-ball series but losing the Test.