Thursday 27 October 2016 14:51, UK
Heather Knight will lead a 15-strong England women's touring party to Sri Lanka needing to register just a single win from their final three ICC Women's Championship fixtures to secure a spot at next summer's World Cup on home soil.
Fresh from a hard-fought 3-2 series victory against the West Indies in the Caribbean, Knight's England side now look forward to fixtures on 12th, 15th and 17th November against Sri Lanka looking to secure one of the four automatic qualification places on offer.
Hoping to make an impact on the series will be 24-year-old middle-order batsman Fran Wilson, who is set to make a return to the 50-over international arena six years after making her ODI debut against the same opposition in the Sri Lankan capital.
Wilson has earned her place in the squad after impressing with a match-winning 43 not out against Pakistan in the second NatWest T20I this summer, alongside a succession of strong performances in domestic cricket for Middlesex and Western Storm.
After taking 2-28 on ODI debut in the Caribbean, 17-year-old Sophie Ecclestone is unavailable for selection to tour in Sri Lanka due to school commitments, and Somerset seam-bowler Anya Shrubsole has been ruled-out as she continues to recover from the neck injury that forced her to return from Jamaica earlier this month.
Overall 23 players will travel to the UAE for the preparation camp, with one spot in Heather Knight's 15-strong squad to take on Sri Lanka still up for grabs.
Head coach, Mark Robinson, said: "I'm really happy with the character and fight that the team showed to win the recent series against the West Indies in the Caribbean, and we now look ahead to the fresh challenge of taking on Sri Lanka in their own conditions, with the ambition of finishing the busiest ever year for the England women's team on a high.
"Fran Wilson gives us another option with the bat, is a strong, athletic fielder, and had an impressive domestic summer. It is disappointing that Anya Shrubsole is still side-lined through injury, but in Beth Langston we have an exciting fresh face, who is ready to be unleashed on the international game."
England women last toured against Sri Lanka in 2010, recording a 1-0 ODI series victory against the hosts.
Watch the Second Test between Bangladesh and England from Friday, live on Sky Sports 2HD from 4.30am.
