Fran Wilson called into England squad for Ashes ODI opener against Australia
Jenny Gunn returns, Lauren Winfield added to squad which dominated West Indies
ESPNcricinfo staff
29-Jun-2019
Fran Wilson back-pedals to take a catch as Katherine Brunt looks on • Getty Images
England have called up Fran Wilson for the opening ODI of the Ashes against Australia, starting on Tuesday in Leicester.
Wilson played just once in England's recent 3-0 ODI sweep against West Indies but took the catch of the series to dismiss Hayley Matthews in the third match. She also ran out Chedean Nation while on as a substitute fielder for injured captain Heather Knight in the only T20I of the tour - the other two matches were washed out. Wilson scored 91 for England Academy against Australia in a warm-up match at Loughborough on Friday.
Allrounder Jenny Gunn, who made one appearance against West Indies - in the same ODI as Wilson - has also earned a place in England's 14-strong squad, along with top-order batsman Lauren Winfield.
With England on a 14-match winning streak across all formats, Knight, who has recovered from the hamstring injury she suffered during the T20I against West Indies, said of the Ashes: "You play cricket for series like this, they're special, so we're all just raring to go.
"It wasn't an easy squad to pick. We've won 14 games in a row and during that time time different people have performed and stuck their hand up. That bodes well for the Ashes and hopefully we can maintain that form throughout this series.
"We're really happy with this group. There's a good feeling amongst us and we want to go out there and regain the Ashes. That's our primary focus for the next month."
With England Women's Academy playing against Australia A throughout the ODI series, players may be called up from there as back-up options.
The Ashes, held by Australia, will be contested over three ODIs, a stand-alone four-day Test and three T20Is. ODIs and T20s are worth two points each for a win, while four points are up for grabs in the Test.
England: Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Jenny Gunn, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor (wk), Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt.