Ecclestone replaces Langston in only change from World Cup squad
Tuesday 26 September 2017 13:39, UK
Wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor will take part in her first tour since returning to cricket following her inclusion in England Women's Ashes squad.
Taylor is part of a 15-strong party that will travel to Australia later this month aiming to regain the Ashes following defeat on home soil in 2015.
The 28-year-old resumed her international career in May after a year away from the game with mental health problems and struck 396 runs in England Women's victorious World Cup campaign this summer, including a devastating 147 against South Africa Women.
The Ashes squad contains the same players who led England to victory in this summer's ICC Women's World Cup with one change - Lancashire teenager Sophie Ecclestone, 18, coming in for Beth Langston.
Coach Mark Robinson said: "It's a hugely exciting tour and one we are really looking forward to. Australia on their home soil will be a further test of the progress we have made.
"We said before the World Cup that the final at Lord's was never going to be our destination, it was just part of the journey, and that journey continues with this tour.
"Sophie Ecclestone has finished school now and has had a great summer domestically. Her selection will provide another option to our attack."
Captain Heather Knight said: "Ashes tours don't come around all too often so it's always a special opportunity. Australia are going to be very strong opponents on their home soil so we'll have to be at our best, across all three formats.
"Winning the World Cup was a dream come true but it doesn't get much bigger than the Ashes. We weren't able to win in 2015 so I know that the whole group will be intent on regaining the trophy this time round."
Women's Ashes itinerary
ODIS
October 22 - first ODI, Brisbane (1am)
October 26 - second ODI, Coffs Harbour (4am)
October 29 - third ODI, Coffs Harbour (3am)
Test
November 9-12 - only Test, North Sydney Oval (D/N 7.30am)
Twenty20 internationals
November 17 - first T20, North Sydney Oval (7.30am)
November 19 - second T20, Canberra (7:30am)
November 21 - third T20, Canberra (7:30am)
Their first assignment, as they bid to regain the Ashes following Australia's win in England in 2015, will be an ODI at Brisbane's Allan Border Field - followed by two more at Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales coast.
They will then travel further south to Sydney for the four-day Test - England's first match in the format since their defeat to Australia at Canterbury two years ago.
The North Sydney Oval will host both the Test, starting on November 9, and the first Twenty20, before the last two matches of the series - both in the shortest format - in Canberra.
The series will be decided, as in the last three women's Ashes series, on a points basis across the formats - with four available for a Test match win and two for a draw, and two for victory in any of the limited-overs fixtures.
England Women's Ashes squad
Heather Knight (Captain), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Sophie Ecclestone, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt
