London, March 7 The England women's cricket team was forced to relocate its T20 World Cup preparatory camp to South Africa after it had to call off its plans to travel to Abu Dhabi due to security concerns stemming from the ongoing conflict in the region, involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Around 30 players will instead assemble in Pretoria for a preparatory camp, where they will be divided into two squads of 15 each for a five-match intra-squad series scheduled between March 10 and 27.
The teams have been named in honor of two England greats, Jan Brittin and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, both members of World Cup-winning sides on home soil.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will lead Team Brittin, which will be coached by former Durham batter and England Women assistant coach Jon Lewis. Vice captain Charlie Dean will captain Team Heyhoe-Flint, with assistant coach Luke Williams guiding the side.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards will oversee both squads during the camp and has urged the players to use the series as an opportunity to showcase their abilities and make their case for selection ahead of the upcoming World Cup at home.
"This is a significant opportunity for every player involved to demonstrate that they are an invaluable part of our World Cup plans," Edwards said in a statement.
"It's the same chance for every player, whether they're new to the team or they've played 100 games. We want to use this series as a chance to challenge ourselves and put ourselves under pressure in competitive match situations."
"We've had two training camps this year, in Oman and Stellenbosch, which focused on skills. Adding a more competitive element is our next step, and I'm really pleased with how the group is progressing ahead of a major summer."
It will be England's second training camp in South Africa this year, following skill-based trips to Oman in January and Stellenbosch last month.
England is scheduled to host New Zealand and India in a white-ball series ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will be held from June 12 to July 5. They will then face India in a historic women's Test at Lord's.
Team Heyhoe Flint: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean (capt), Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Alexa Stonehouse, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Team Brittin: Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Freya Kemp, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Paige Scholfield, Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Linsey Smith, Rhianna Southby, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.
