England Women: Rebecca Grundy and Laura Marsh back for New Zealand tour

Rebecca Grundy and Laura Marsh are part of a 15-player squad for England’s tour of New Zealand next month.

Warwickshire’s left-arm spinner Grundy and Kent all-rounder Marsh are back in the party after recovering from groin and shoulder injuries respectively. 

Charlotte Edwards will captain the team for the short trip which features five one-day internationals and three T20s.

Grundy made her international debut at the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, while Marsh played a key role in their 2013 Ashes success.

Vice-captain Heather Knight, wicket-keeper Sarah Taylor and Edwards are back in England having played state cricket in the Australian Women’s National Cricket League over the winter.

Head of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “The selectors were in a privileged position when picking the New Zealand touring party with every player in the 21-strong England women’s performance programme fit and available for selection. 

“As a result, this is one of the strongest squads that we have been able to name for a while, and I am especially pleased to see Laura Marsh and Rebecca Grundy return to international duty, following their extended absences through injury.”

And the skipper is looking forward to the series which signals the start of an important period for the England women’s game.

Edwards told Sky Sports News HQ: “It’s great to have Laura and Rebecca back. Rebecca played an important part for us at the World Cup last year. And picking from a full strength squad is exciting for us.

“The first three games are part of the ICC Women’s Championship and will help towards our qualification for the 2017 World Cup in England. Those three games are crucial and, of course, we’ve got the Ashes next summer.”

Squad:

Charlotte Edwards (Kent), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Kathryn Cross (Lancashire), Lydia Greenway (Kent), Rebecca Grundy (Warwickshire), Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire), Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire), Amy Jones (Warwickshire), Heather Knight (Berkshire), Laura Marsh (Kent), Natalie Sciver (Surrey), Anya Shrubsole (Somerset), Sarah Taylor (Sussex), Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire), Danielle Wyatt (Nottinghamshire).

Matches:

Feb 11: 1st ODI (Mt Maunganui)

Feb 13: 2nd ODI (Mt Maunganui)

Feb 15: 3rd ODI (Mt Maunganui)

Feb 19: 1st T20 (Whangarei)

Feb 20: 2nd T20 (Whangarei)

Feb 24: 3rd T20 (Lincoln)

Feb 26: 4th ODI (Lincoln)