Gaur, Heath earn maiden England call-ups for white-ball series against Sri Lanka

LONDON: Uncapped left-arm fast-bowler Mahika Gaur and wicketkeeper-batter Bess Heath have earned maiden call-ups to England’s squads for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting later this month.

Mahika, born in Reading, United Kingdom, plays cricket in England as a local player. She has represented UAE in this year’s ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, apart from playing 19 T20Is for the senior side. She was part of her domestic side Thunder’s run to Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day and played a key role in their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches earlier this year.

Mahika also made her debut in the 2023 edition of The Hundred for Manchester Originals, apart from playing for England A against Australia A in the recent time.

On the other hand, Bess was part of Northern Diamonds’ Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy-winning side of 2022 and has been in England A set-up for the last 14 months. She has featured in all of Northern Superchargers’ 2023 Hundred matches to date.

“Mahika (Gaur) is a very exciting talent. Left-arm swing bowlers over six-foot tall are unique in women’s cricket. Mahika has shown consistently this summer that she is a threat with the new ball, and we are excited to see how she performs at the international level.”

“Bess (Heath) is an all-action cricketer who impacts games and is a great fit for us and how we want to play. She impressed in the A team games against Australia earlier in the summer and she also provides cover for Amy Jones with the gloves,” said head coach Jon Lewis in a statement.

All-rounder Freya Kemp returns to the 20-over format squad after recovering from a stress fracture in her back while seamer Lauren Filer receives her first T20I call-up after debuting for England in the Test match at this summer’s Ashes.

But there was no T20I call-up for opener Tammy Beaumont, despite hitting 118 from 61 balls for Welsh Fire against Trent Rockets, the first century in the Women’s Hundred competition, though she’s named in the ODI squad.

Top-ranked ODI and T20I bowler, left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone and batter Sophia Dunkley will miss the series while experienced duo Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danielle Wyatt will sit out of T20I and ODI series respectively, in a bid to manage the quartet’s programme over the next 12 months. IANS

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