England women's squad for T20I series against India announced, Sophie Ecclestone returns

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially announced the England Women's National Cricket Team squad for the upcoming T20I series against the India Women's National Cricket Team.

Sophie Ecclestone has been recalled to the squad for the T20I matches between India and England, which will be held on June 28, July 1, 4, 9, and 12 across five different venues in England.

Sophie Ecclestone's break from cricket is set to end soon

The star 26-year-old spinner Sophie Ecclestone's break from cricket is about to end very soon. She had made the decision to step away from cricket completely to prioritize her personal well-being.

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Also, Ecclestone was taking a break to heal from her "quad niggle". Her last appearance in competitive cricket came during the Vitality T20 Blast match between the Lancashire Women and Durham Women at Chester-le-Street on June 1. In that match, she returned with the bowling figures of 2/24.

Sophie Ecclestone would be hoping to return to her best in the series against India Women's National Cricket Team and reclaim her No.1 spot in the ICC Women's T20I Rankings for the bowlers, as she currently sits in fourth position.

Talking about other notable things in the squad, the pacer Lauren Filer has returned, and batters Paige Scholfield and Tammy Beaumont have been retained. Leg-spinner Sarah Glenn has not found herself on the team, and Heather Knight is also missing from the squad after suffering a hamstring injury.

It's great to have Soph back - Charlotte Edwards

Charlotte Edwards recently started her tenure as England coach with the new skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt. The duo helped England whitewash West Indies 3-0 in ODIs and T20Is.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Edwards said that they are delighted to have Sophie Ecclestone back in the squad and are looking forward to the series against India. She elaborated:

"It's great to have Soph back, and we're looking forward to having her back in the group. She has obvious qualities and she'll be an asset to us.

"It does mean Sarah Glenn misses out, we are blessed with a strong group of spinners and we unfortunately can't play them all. It's now a great opportunity for Sarah to go back to The Blaze and play some competitive cricket in the Vitality Blast."

"We're really looking forward to taking on India. They're one of the best sides in the world and it'll be a huge test for us. There was lots to be happy about in the West Indies series but equally lots of things we want to keep improving on - we're always looking at getting better. Five games against India in front of big crowds at great venues will serve us really well. This is a significant series for us with the countdown well and truly underway towards the home ICC Women's T20 World Cup."

England women's squad for the T20Is vs India

Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong

Also Read: Steve Smith update: Gruesome finger injury in WTC Final puts batter in doubt for WI tour