The 17-strong squad announced by England on Wednesday has been trimmed to 15 ahead of their Test against India which starts at Bristol next week.

The remaining players have now moved from Loughborough to a biosecure environment at Bristol ahead of the match.

The final XI will be chosen from the following 15 players:

• Heather Knight (Western Storm, captain)
• Emily Arlott (Central Sparks)
• Tammy Beaumont (Lightning)
• Katherine Brunt (Northern Diamonds)
• Kate Cross (Thunder)
• Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
• Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
• Georgia Elwiss (Southern Vipers)
• Tash Farrant (South East Stars)
• Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
• Nat Sciver (Northern Diamonds, vice captain)
• Anya Shrubsole (Western Storm)
• Mady Villiers (Sunrisers)
• Fran Wilson (Sunrisers)
• Lauren Winfield-Hill (Northern Diamonds)

Sarah Glenn (Central Sparks) and Freya Davies (South East Stars) have been released, and will now be able to play for their regions in tomorrow’s fourth round of matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Just over three years ago, in March 2018, Alice Davidson-Richards was plucked out of county obscurity and handed an England “Rookie” contract by then coach Mark Robinson.

At that point, ADR was 23 years old, had represented Kent as a pure amateur for 8 years, and was working as a personal trainer. Suddenly she had an international career dangled before her eyes. It was all a bit of a shock: “I definitely thought my time had passed me by,” she said in the accompanying press conference.

As it turned out, a glittering future for England did not lie ahead. ADR played in 5 T20s and an ODI on that first tour, before being dropped ahead of England’s 2018 World T20 campaign in the Caribbean. She has not played an international since April 2018.

She is also no longer in possession of a Rookie contract. These were abolished by the ECB last year, with all the “Rookies” upgraded to full time professional contracts, attached to the 8 new regions. In practice, that means that ADR no longer trains with the England players; she is no longer considered an “England contracted player”.

And yet she is batting with more confidence than at any point in her career.

At The Kia Oval on Saturday, against Western Storm, ADR hit her highest ever List A score – 92. (Her previous highest was 78 for Otago v Wellington in November 2018.) Despite the fact that Stars were chasing the relatively modest target of 246, and needed to score at less than 5 an over, ADR (alongside opening partner Bryony Smith) came out and batted with an aggression and intent that I’ve rarely seen from her before. 

“That’s just the way we play,” Smith said at the close. “We want to play a really positive brand of cricket. We both play in quite a similar way, we give it a go, and luckily it’s paid off.”

The opener role is something of a new role for a seasoned county player who is better known for her metronomic medium-pace bowling than her batting. For Kent, ADR is more generally found lurking somewhere in the middle order. (This season she batted at 4.) So why the promotion?

“We didn’t really have a settled opening partnership last season, we went through quite a few combinations,” Smith said. “This winter, she’s batted really well and we thought, ‘let’s see what happened’. We batted a lot together in the winter and we know each other well, so it felt really natural.”

After yesterday’s chase, it looks to have been a masterstroke from Richard Bedbrook and Johann Myburgh. The pair added 32 together for the first wicket; their positive approach meant that the game was effectively won in the first 15 overs of the chase. ADR may not have reached that magical three-figure milestone, but she is batting with a swagger that makes you feel it will come. I don’t think I would have written that 3 years ago.

What has changed? It seems counter-intuitive, but it looks to me like transitioning from being an England Rookie to being a regional professional is the best thing that could have happened to Alice Davidson-Richards. As a Rookie, she was schlepping up to Loughborough four days a week to train with the England squad. She was also fighting with a raft of England star batters for the attention of coaches in the nets. Not anymore.

“Being a Rookie is fantastic, but we’re not the top priority,” reflected Smith – who has been through the same transition as ADR. “Whereas here, we’ve got coaches on hand if we need them, we can just message someone if we’re free to have another hit. I think it’s been really beneficial.”

Credit, then, to Bedbrook and Myburgh for creating the kind of environment in which Davidson-Richards can finally fulfil the potential which Robinson identified three years ago. Maybe there will be more England matches in her future; maybe not. But for someone who has given so much to English domestic cricket, who rocked up for Kent for years simply because she loved representing her county, with no hope that it might one day lead to a professional future, it’s fitting that the domestic system is finally giving something back.

The ECB have confirmed to CRICKETher that they are “in discussion with the counties” over the future of women’s county cricket after the 2021 season.

The ECB had previously implied that the 2021 County T20 Cup would be the last of its kind, having granted the competition a stay of execution back in 2019 for the next two seasons.

However, many of the new Regional Directors of Women’s Cricket, as well as many of the regional coaches and players, see county cricket as playing a crucial role in the domestic set-up going forwards – putting pressure on the ECB to rethink their initial decision.

“It fills a step in the pathway,” Richard Bedbrook, South East Stars Regional Director, told CRICKETher. “It adds value for players of all levels – for players coming through the age group pathways who might aspire to reach a regional level, they can do that knowing that they’ve got a platform to do that at county level.”

“When you’ve got two counties like Kent and Surrey, who are proud of what they’ve done in women’s cricket, the ‘recreational’ tag is a bit of a misnomer. Every [regional] player that has represented those two counties turns up with a mindset that is no different to a Stars game.”

Tash Farrant, who captained Kent in their successful bid to top the South East group in the regional County T20 competition, said that lifting another trophy for her county had been a great start to the season, and added that county cricket had played a crucial role in her personal development as a player.

“Being part of a Kent team that has been so strong for a very long time, I’ve been very lucky in terms of the standard being really good – it’s always pushed me,” she said.

Several younger players have this season used county cricket as a springboard to claim spots in regional squads – notably Hampshire 18-year-olds Gemma Lane and Finty Trussler, who were both late additions to the Southern Vipers side.

Farrant recognised the importance of this, telling CRICKETher: “Another great thing about [county cricket] is the mix – seeing some of the younger Kent girls coming through and then coming into our women’s side and performing. For example Kalea Moore has now been given a South East Stars summer contract. It’s really important to get more experienced players playing with younger girls coming through.”

“It’s all about getting in as much cricket as possible. Before, we haven’t really had a proper long season, whereas this season we’re playing from April all the way through to October, which is exactly what we want – a proper season where a lot of girls are going to get opportunities.”

The ECB themselves discussed the role of county cricket in their review of the inaugural Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, carried out in October 2020, and concluded that it still had a useful role to play. While no concrete decisions have yet been made about its longer-term future, it seems unlikely that the ECB’s ongoing conversations with the counties will do much to change this sentiment.

After South East Stars’ mammoth showing against Sunrisers on Saturday, their Bank Holiday outing against reigning champions Southern Vipers promised to be one of the matches of the tournament.

Instead, Stars found themselves 24-3 at the hands of Charlotte Taylor, whose arm balls still seem to have the knack of fooling some of the best players in England.

From there, they were able to set only a very modest target of 137, a target which Vipers overhauled with 20 overs to spare. After a slow start, in which she successfully “saw off” Stars strike bowlers Freya Davies and Tash Farrant, Danni Wyatt finished unbeaten on 64 from 88 balls, including nine boundaries.

It was her second half-century in as many matches, and from our perspective – having watched both innings live – this was the much less scratchy of the two, heavily featuring her favoured inside-out drive over cover. Interestingly, Wyatt herself disagreed with this assessment – showing the chasm that can exist at times between journalist perceptions and player realities!

“The [Beckenham] pitch was very very difficult to bat on,” Wyatt told us at the close. “It got slower and slower. I kept saying to myself, ‘don’t give it away’, but I had to work really hard to not get out!”

“We spoke about it, last night in the team meeting, that it’s really important that one of the top 4 gets a big score and sees us home and that’s what we did today.”

Wyatt was supported brilliantly by Georgia Elwiss (45 off 43), who only fell in the penultimate over because she was attempting to hit the six necessary to achieve her half-century, before they ran out of runs to play with.

The question on everyone’s minds this weekend, with the full contingent of England players participating in the opening two rounds of the RHF, is who might have advanced their case in Lisa Keightley’s eyes enough to win one of those precious spots in the Test squad against India (which is likely to be announced in the next week or so).

Of the England “definites” and “probables”, only one was consistently superb with the bat across both matches – Amy Jones, who hit 114 against Diamonds on Saturday, and followed it up by thumping 163 from 114 balls against Storm on Monday. If she isn’t now nailed on to open the batting in the Test, then I’ll be very surprised.

But that still leaves a spot or two in the middle order up for grabs. And with big-hitter Wyatt not necessarily an automatic pick for the Test, it also begs the intriguing question of whether two half-centuries in two matches (Wyatt) is equal to, better than, or not quite as good as, one century in one match and a single-figure score in the second (Lauren Winfield-Hill [110 + 2], Sophia Dunkley [104* + 0]) in the eyes of Lisa Keightley?

One thing that might go in Wyatt’s favour is her ability to turn her arm over. England may no longer see her as a serious bowling option – “I know I’m probably not going to bowl for England”, she said at the close – but if India bat for two days straight at Bristol, might it be an advantage for Heather Knight to have a few bonus overs of spin up her sleeve?

Wyatt says that she has been working hard on her bowling, with the likelihood of playing a key role with the ball in The Hundred at the back of her mind: “I’ve tried to change a few things in my action, tried to keep my hands close in, as I’ve been working on the last few months with England in the nets. I want to have the confidence to bowl well if Heather chucks me the ball. Whenever I get the chance to bowl I want to bowl really well and put my case forward.”

With Vipers missing key strike bowler Lauren Bell, who pulled up with a groin strain right before the start of play, as well as Paige Scholfield, who is still fighting her way back to full fitness after a back operation, Wyatt’s hard work in the nets came good. She was called on to bowl 7 overs by captain Georgia Adams against Stars, and she finished with figures of 3-19, including the crucial scalps of Grace Gibbs (29) and Aylish Cranstone (31), who looked to be beginning to claw Stars back into a competitive position.

All in all, it was a decent day’s work for Danni Wyatt. As to whether two half-centuries in the hand really are worth one century in the bush? We’ll have to wait for the announcement of the England squad to find out the answer to that one.

11.00 – Welcome to the Battle of the Vipers! We are at Brighton to watch Hampshire take on Sussex in two T20 matches. EXCITING NEWS that Sarah Taylor will be keeping wicket today for Sussex as part of her domestic comeback. Her first competitive cricket since 2019. Her quality endures!

11.02 – Ella Chandler and Maia Bouchier are opening the batting after Hampshire won the toss – Chandler fresh from helping her club side Aldershot to a big win against Hursley Park yesterday. Chandler edges Tara Norris’s first ball over the head of first slip – it’s all happening here! They take 9 off it – 9-0 after the first over.

11.10 – WICKET! After a couple of lovely shots, Bouchier miscues a pull shot and is caught at deep square leg. Good low catch from Cassidy McCarthy. New pro Tara Norris looks to have gained a bit of pace over the summer! Hampshire 17-1.

11.22 – WICKET! Chiara Green turns one into Charlie Dean and bowls her. 42-2 in the 6th.

11.39 – WICKET! Sarah Taylor is in the action and whips off the bails to have Fi Morris stumped off a wide – her trademark! At the halfway stage, Hampshire are 61-3 – Chandler 30*.

11.57 – WICKET! Sussex finally break the Chandler-Ariana Dowse partnership – Dowse falls LBW to Mary Taylor. The pair added 32 for that wicket – 88-4 in the 16th.

12.01 – WICKET! Some scrambling going on here – Abbie Whybrow has been dropped twice and had to dive to get home on the first occasion after ball-watching, but she is hanging on out there… Finally Tara Norris hangs onto a c&b and Whybrow goes. Hampshire 97-5 with 3 overs to come.

12.06 – WICKET! Mary Taylor picks up her second – Alice Monaghan clean bowled for a duck.

12.11 – WICKET! Chandler has been holding it together for Hampshire, but falls 9 runs short of her half-century – run out by a direct hit from cover. She’s looked in very good touch today so Charlotte Edwards (who is here watching) will be pleased!

12.18 – Hampshire finish on 114-8. Innings tailed off a bit towards the end, and Sarah Taylor picked up another stumping in the final over. Sussex probably favourites here.

12.35 – WICKET! That’s a big one. Last year’s star of the RHF Georgia Adams is bowled by Gemma Lane and trudges off for just 1. Sussex 1-1… and that brings Sarah Taylor to the crease. Looking forward to this!

12.48 – Alice Monaghan making Sarah Taylor duck and dive a bit in her opening over! Sussex 14-1 after 5 overs.

13.02 – WICKET! That is HUGE for Hampshire. Just as Taylor looked to be getting into her stride, Charlie Dean comes on and fools her with some uneven bounce – she is bowled for 28. Sussex are 42-2 in the 9th and behind the rate – could that be the tipping point?

13.08 – WICKET! Ella Mac never quite got going today and Fi Morris finally puts her out of her misery – she goes caught behind for 10 off 25 balls.

13.16 – WICKET! Dean gets her second – Norris tries to reverse her but is caught at short third man. Great running catch from Finty Trussler (who we’ve never seen before but what a brilliant name!)

13.22 – WICKET! Trussler chimes in with the ball now. Chiara Green mistimed a drive to Fi Morris at long on – well held by Morris. Sussex 57-5 after 14 overs. This game is definitely heading in Hampshire’s direction.

13.27 – WICKET! Monaghan beats Emily Spooner for pace, and she is bowled. Identical twins Taylor and Taylor now at the crease. Pity the poor scorer because no one can tell them apart!

13.32 – WICKETS! Trussler takes two in two! One of the Taylors (don’t ask me which) falls caught behind and then Cassidy McCarthy skies one. Sussex 64-8 after 15 overs.

13.35 – WICKET. Poor running from Sussex – Beth Harvey is run out for 1.

13.38 – Hat trick ball for Trussler! Taylor gets an edge but it flies over the keeper’s head.

13.39 – HAMPSHIRE WIN (by a lot). Fi Morris takes a brilliant catch in the deep and Sussex are bowled out for 67 in 18 overs. Finty Trussler finishes with excellent figures of 4-12.

———

14.40 – Play underway here in the second T20 at Brighton. Sussex batting first this time. They’ve been allowed to start a bit earlier than 3pm as both sides have agreed, as it’s “only” a friendly.

14.57 – Sussex 18-0 at the end of a very sedate powerplay.

15.05 – WICKET! Ella Mac swings and misses and is bowled by Fi Morris. Sussex 36-1 off 8 overs.

15.12 – After 10 overs, Sussex are 47-1 – have picked up the pace somewhat. Gads 25*.

15.18 – WICKET! Fi Morris gets another and it’s Adams this time, who is given out LBW. Got in a muddle with that one and didn’t seem to move her feet. 54-2 after 12.

15.20 – New batter Tara Norris is batting in short sleeves. It’s about minus 5 degrees. Brave, or stupid? 😁

15.24 – WICKET! Norris can go and put a jumper on now. Slashed wildly outside off stump and caught behind. Finty Trussler has another!

15.34 – Syd says that if this over was a spy novel it would be called “Taylor Taylor Taylor Spy”. (Charlotte bowling to Sarah and Mary.) Sussex 75-3 after 17.

15.46 – WICKETS! Mary Taylor stumped and Chiara Green bowled in the last over – two more scalps in the bag for Trussler, who has picked up 7 wickets in total today. Sarah Taylor stranded on 29*, while Sussex finish on 90-5, which Hampshire should really be able to chase… if the weather holds!

16.03 – Hampshire’s chase begins with an early WICKET – Bouchier holes out to deep square leg in the first over. 6-1.

16.15 – Ella Chandler has retired hurt. She was hit on the side of her helmet and the concern is obviously a possible concussion. Essential to take these things seriously so she is quite rightly coming off.

16.31 – Hampshire 40-1 after 7. Charlie Dean and Fi Morris making good progress.

16.48 – Hampshire 72-1 after 12. Dean 20* off 24 and Morris 34* off 34. They really are making short work of this.

16.59 – HAMPSHIRE WIN BY 9 WICKETS. Dean 26*, Morris 47*. A good day for Hampshire who finish 2 from 2 – both easy wins.

An aggressive 65-ball 63 from Susie Rowe made the difference, as Kent beat Essex in the opening round of the 2021 London Championship by 46 runs.

Rowe, who staged a comeback in competitive cricket last summer representing South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, was by far the top-scorer from both sides on a pitch that was so green it looked like it wouldn’t know what a mower was if it ran it over.

“It didn’t come on that well,” Rowe said after the match. “There wasn’t much pace in it. You had to really wait for it and watch it. It meant you had to be quite aggressive and quite bold to get runs.”

“It was a tricky one but we got a score that we were able to defend. Essex got off to a good start but we were able to pull it back and come away with a decent victory.”

Essex had finished the 2020 mini-season winless, but came back fighting to turn their match against reigning 50-over County Champions Kent into a real contest – bowling the Horses out for 203.

Essex’s line-up were buoyed by the addition of Sunrisers’ Jo Gardner and Lissy Macleod, more usually found sporting Warwickshire and Berkshire shirts respectively.

However, both were keen to get some 50-over cricket under their belts before the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy begins later this month, and both made crucial interventions for Essex.

With the ball, Jo Gardner (3-37) took out the middle stump of Kent openers Megan Sturge and Sarah Bryce in successive overs, after Kent had reached 65 without loss.

Macleod, after bagging a couple of wickets with her off-spin, then led the charge at the top of the batting order, as Essex raced to 58-0 in their first 15 overs.

But 17-year-old Kalea Moore made the crucial breakthrough, trapping Macleod LBW for 28, while two run outs in quick succession dented Essex’s progress to the target still further.

It was the second spell from England left-armer Kirstie Gordon which really tore the heart out of their chase, though. Gordon – playing in just her third match for Kent after being handed her county cap in the T20 Cup last weekend – struck immediately to see off both Hayley Brown and Katherine Speed LBW, finishing with 4-23 as Essex were bowled out for 157 in 40 overs.

“It was a very green pitch, so we always knew that if we got a wicket there was a chance to get into them and take a cluster of wickets, and that’s exactly what Kirstie did,” said Rowe. “It was needed because at that stage the game could have gone either way.”

This year’s South East Stars squad is yet to be announced, but after today’s performance it would seem to be a no-brainer that Rowe’s name should be firmly on the team sheet when Stars play their opening fixture of the trophy against Sunrisers on 29 May.

11.00 – We’ve arrived at Chigwell for the opening encounter of the 2021 London Championship – Essex v Kent. Essex are sporting their new kit (Top Secret ™️) and a few new faces including Sunrisers Lissy Macleod and Jo Gardner. A good way for them to get some 50-over practice in ahead of this year’s RHF! Trevor Griffin is obviously setting some store by this game as he has braved the cold to be here and watch in person.

11.20 – HYGIENE BREAK! Essex won the toss and chose to bat. Kent are opening with Sarah Bryce, who looks in beautiful touch, and Megan Sturge. They’ve put on 24-0 in the opening 6 overs (Bryce 17*). The weather can’t quite make up its mind so we are alternately freezing and too hot!

11.51 – WICKET! Essex make their first breakthrough. New pro Jo Gardner, in her second over of the day, clean bowls Megan Sturge with a straight one. Kent 57-1 after 15 overs.

12.01 – WICKET! That’s the big one. Sarah Bryce departs for 33 and Jo Gardner picks up her second. The ball hit top of middle stump – perfect! Kent 61-2 and ex-England batter Susie Rowe walks to the crease. PS It’s cold.

12.05 – There is a live stream of the Vipers warm-up match on the Isle of Wight available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di1WvEPKnOQ

Personally we don’t think they should be able to use the term “warm-up” when it’s 3 degrees outside.

12.35 – At the halfway stage, Kent have just brought up 3 figures – 102-2 after 25 overs. Susie Rowe is adding some much-needed impetus – she’s on 26 off 25 balls and has already played the shot of the day, a beautiful cut behind square for four. Kent look to be on top at the moment.

12.47 – WICKET! Maxine Blythin feather edges Kelly Castle behind the stumps. Kent 117-3 in the 29th.

13.01 – WICKET! Scarlett Hughes stumps Kalea Moore and Kent lose their fourth. 131-4 in the 32nd.

13.10 – FIFTY FOR SUSIE ROWE! Rowe brings up her half-century in the 35th over with a boundary – she’s got there off just 51 balls, at a crucial time for Kent. Kirstie Gordon is at the other end now, and crunches a boundary to wrap up the over. Kent 150-4 after 35.

13.25 – WICKET! Rowe skies one to Beth Harmer at point. Harmer has been on fire in the field today – this time, the ball hangs in the air ominously but she takes it successfully. Important to get rid of Rowe, who looked pretty set on 63. Kent now 165-5 with 11 overs remaining of the innings.

13.30 – WICKET! Kent 167-6. Gordon falls cutting lavishly and is caught at backward point. Lissy Macleod has her second victim of the day. Kent falling apart a bit here!

13.35 – WICKET! Megan Belt drives straight to the extra cover fielder and Kent are 168-6.

13.53 – Kent are pushing on here – 194-7 after 46 overs. Essex are getting a bit sloppy in the field – Macleod has just had two relatively straightforward catches put down off her bowling. It looks like Kent will get to 200, which is always an important signifier in this format and (we THINK!) will mean they get maximum batting bonus points.

13.55 – WICKET! Jelfs goes, belting it to deep midwicket. She did well with a handy run-a-ball 19 there. Kent 194-8.

14.00 – WICKET! Kent’s 9th wicket falls with the score on 197. Esmae MacGregor takes out the middle stump!

14.03 – WICKET! Underdogs Essex have bowled Kent out for 203 in the 48th over. That’s a bit of a turn up! MacGregor finishes with 3-for.

15.05 – Play has resumed here at Chigwell! Essex going along nicely – 23-0 after 7 overs, with Macleod and Harmer opening up. We’ve just recorded our weekly vodcast and it will be going up on the site tomorrow, so be sure to keep an eye out for it!

15.10 – THE SUN IS SHINING. THIS IS NOT A DRILL ☀️

15.40 – WICKET(S)! After a good start, Essex have now lost 2 wickets in the space of 2 overs – Macleod LBW to Kalea Moore, and now Jessica Bird disastrously run out trying to scamper a single, but sent back by partner Harmer. Essex 65-2 after 17 overs.

15.54 – WICKET! Oh no – disaster for Essex as ANOTHER player falls to a run out. Beth Harmer pushed the ball out to extra cover, then went for the single but Kelly Castle was having none of it and sent her straight back. Out by a fair way. Kent 85-3.

16:10 – After 25 overs, Essex are 103-3 – ever so slightly ahead of the rate – the game is finely poised.

16:20 – WICKET! Kelly Castle comes down the track to Megan Belt, misses, and is stumped by Sarah Bryce for 27. 108-4 now, after 28.

16:23 – WICKET! Kirstie Gordon comes back and takes a wicket LBW with the first ball of her new spell – gave the appeal 120% and the umpire just couldn’t turn it down. 108-5.

16:27 – WICKET! Rinse and repeat – Gordon has another LBW as Katherine Speed tries to play around her pads and is trapped right in front. 109-6.

16:31 – WICKET! Would you Adam’n’Eve it? Gordon’s got another – Jo Gardner bowled by one that kept low; and Essex are sinking towards defeat.

16:50 – WICKET! Cath Dalton has been leading some resistance for Essex, but she is bowled for 18 by Kalea Moore. 137-8 after 36 overs.

17:00 – WICKET! Play of the day – Hannah Jelfs takes a brilliant diving catch at midwicket to give Kirstie Gordon a 4th wicket. 151-9.

17:05 – And that… as the Americans say… is the ball game – Essex bowled out for 157; so Kent win by 46 runs.

The ECB have confirmed to CRICKETher that the contracted England players will miss the first competitive matches of the 2021 season, the County T20 Cup, due to concerns about the lack of Covid-secure measures in the county game.

The Cup begins this Sunday 25 April, and will run for four weekends in April and May. England players including Tammy Beaumont had previously expressed a strong wish to participate, with many having represented their counties for years.

However, an ECB spokesperson told CRICKETher:

“County T20 cricket is classed as Recreational Cricket and therefore is covered by less stringent COVID-19 guidelines, which in turn creates a higher risk due to the lack of daily monitoring, testing and general adherence to protocols.

The risk of playing recreational cricket is that you have more people coming together from a multitude of different environments – without those elite sport protocols in place – and therefore more complex ‘contacts’ with the public.

Regional warm-up fixtures are played with elite protocols in place so England players are able to play in them.”

The ECB are naturally keen to avoid the risk of any of their players coming into contact with anyone who tests positive for COVID, as this would mean the player would have to be placed in “hard isolation”, and render them unable to train for 10 days.

Interestingly, Kirstie Gordon participated in Kent’s warm-up matches against Surrey last weekend, suggesting that she is not expected to train with the England squad ahead of the India series, and may be facing the imminent loss of her central contract.

The withdrawal of England players from the county game also raises questions about its future status in the domestic structure. In a press conference earlier this month, Heather Knight admitted that regional cricket would remain the priority for her and her side, despite her own sentimental commitment to Berkshire, who she has represented since 2010.

“The county stuff has a slightly different role in the full fixture list now,” Knight said. “The main domestic cricket that we play, and the best standard that’s going to prepare us for England, is going to be the Rachael Heyhoe Flint stuff, so that’s going to be the priority. In terms of playing for Berkshire, as a sentimental thing potentially, but the reality is I’ve got to pick and choose the cricket that’s going to help me best perform for England.”