Women’s Ashes 2023: Heather Knight leads England squad and includes Kate Cross after her recovery from illness

England Women have announced their squad for their first Ashes Test against Australia at Trent Bridge, with Kate Cross included after her recovery from illness.

Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson have been named in the squad for the first time, with the former impressing with her bowling displays for Western Storm in the last two seasons.

Gibson has been particularly impressive in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, and is the joint-highest run scorer and leading wicket taker in the competition.

There are some seam-bowling options in the squad, with Alice Davidson-Richards and Nat Sciver-Brunt both included.

Cross, who has recovered from a parasite infection, is the most senior bowler.

Sophie Ecclestone is the only spinner named, while pace bowler Issy Wing returns to the squad after missing the T20 World Cup in February.

Heather Knight’s side will play one Test against Australia, followed by three T20s and three one-day internationals. All the matches count towards the Ashes, with a Test worth four points, while the T20s and one-day internationals are worth two points each.

The full women’s Ashes schedule is as follows:

Test: June 22-26, Trent Bridge

First T20: July 1, Edgbaston

Second T20: July 5, The Oval

Third T20: July 8, Lord’s

First ODI: July 12, Bristol

Second ODI: July 16, Ageas Bowl

Third ODI: July 18, Taunton

England squad for Ashes: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (captain), Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt (vice-captain), Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt

Meanwhile, England A will play in a separate T20 and one-day series against Australia.

The team is captained by Lauren Winfield-Hill and face the senior Australia Women’s team in a three-day warm-up match at the Uptonsteel County Ground which begins on June 15.

England A squad: Lauren Winfield-Hill, Maia Bouchier, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Kirstie Gordon, Eva Gray, Bess Heath, Eve Jones, Paige Scholfield, Grace Scrivens, Danielle Wyatt.