Bess Heath and Emma Jones have been selected in England Women A’s squads for a multi-format tour of India in November and December.
The tour in total comprises three T20s, three 50-over fixtures, and a four-day game, with Heath called up to all three squads and Jones named in the T20 group only.
Heath and Jones are joined in the T20 squad by Lauren Filer, Issy Wong, and Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who were all part of England’s squad in their recent run to the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
That trio form a total of 11 players across the three squads who already have international experience, including Jodi Grewcock and Mady Villiers, both of whom also played for England this season.
Wicketkeeper-batter Heath, 25, played in every game as the Rockets women secured a first Hundred title this summer, while all-rounder Jones, 24, appeared early on in a dominant campaign, including in a first-game hammering of Birmingham Phoenix.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Jones has also been named as one of six players who will form part of England Women’s Performance Programme at home this winter.
Those selected to the Performance Programme, which includes four players who are also touring India, will benefit from the coaching, resources, and facilities on offer in the UK throughout the winter.
Head coach Jon JJ Lewis said: “The selection for A squads is often about the bigger picture and getting ready for challenges further down the line.
“These squads have an element of that, but are more about the players who are considered the next in line for the senior England teams, as well as the players who are looking to establish themselves in those teams.”
The T20 leg of the tour is first, with three matches set to take place on Monday 30th November, and Thursday 3rd and Saturday 5thDecember, all at MCA Stadium in Pune.
Both teams then shift north-west to Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where three ODIs will take place on Tuesday 8th, Friday 11th, and Monday 14th December.
The same venue in India’s second-biggest city will then host the tour-closing four-day affair, which is set to run from Saturday 19th to Tuesday 22nd December.
“With the Ashes next summer, we are keen to see some valuable top-level competitive game time against India's next best for several players who will be in contention for selection next year, particularly in the 50-over and 4-day games,” continued Lewis.
“We head to India with strong ambitions to be successful, knowing that a tour to India is always a tough assignment.
“They toured the UK in the summer and had some success over here, so we know it will be a challenge that we are looking forward to meeting head on.”
Captains for the three touring squads will be confirmed at a later date.
England Women A v India Women A | T20 Squad
Hannah Baker (SunRisers Leeds)
Grace Ballinger (Manchester Super Giants)
Kira Chathli (MI London)
Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Southern Brave)
Lauren Filer (Birmingham Phoenix)
Jodi Grewcock (Southern Brave)
Bess Heath (Trent Rockets)
Niamh Holland (Welsh Fire)
Emma Jones (Trent Rockets)
Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Manchester Super Giants)
Charis Pavely (London Spirit)
Grace Potts (Welsh Fire)
Jemima Spence (Birmingham Phoenix)
Grace Thompson (Welsh Fire)
Mady Villiers (Manchester Super Giants)
Issy Wong (Southern Brave)
England Women A v India Women A | 50-Over Squad
Hannah Baker (SunRisers Leeds)
Grace Ballinger (Manchester Super Giants)
Kira Chathli (MI London)
Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Southern Brave)
Lauren Filer (Birmingham Phoenix)
Katie George (London Spirit)
Jodi Grewcock (Southern Brave)
Bess Heath (Trent Rockets)
Niamh Holland (Welsh Fire)
Emma Lamb (Birmingham Phoenix)
Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Manchester Super Giants)
Charis Pavely (London Spirit)
Grace Potts (Welsh Fire)
Grace Scrivens (Manchester Super Giants)
Ellie Threlkeld (MI London)
Mady Villiers (Manchester Super Giants)
Issy Wong (Southern Brave)
England Women A v India Women A | Four-Day Squad
Hannah Baker (SunRisers Leeds)
Grace Ballinger (Manchester Super Giants)
Kira Chathli (MI London)
Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Southern Brave)
Lauren Filer (Birmingham Phoenix)
Katie George (London Spirit)
Jodi Grewcock (Southern Brave)
Bess Heath (Trent Rockets)
Emma Lamb (Birmingham Phoenix)
Charis Pavely (London Spirit)
Grace Potts (Welsh Fire)
Grace Scrivens (Manchester Super Giants)
Ellie Threlkeld (MI London)
Mady Villiers (Manchester Super Giants)
Issy Wong (Southern Brave)
England Women A v India Women A | Tour Schedule
1st T20: Monday 30th November | MCA Stadium, Pune
2nd T20: Thursday 3rd December | MCA Stadium, Pune
3rd T20: Saturday 5th December | MCA Stadium, Pune
1st 50-over: Tuesday 8th December | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
2nd 50-over: Friday 11th December | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
3rd 50-over: Monday 14th December | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Four-day fixture: Saturday 19th - Monday 22nd December | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
