England Women: Heather Knight named in ICC Women's World Cup Squad as Sarah Glenn and Danni Wyatt-Hodge Return and Kate Cross miss

Former Captain Heather Knight has been named in England’s woman’s 15-strong team for ICC Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The 34-year-old suffered a significant hamstring issue that was suffering from May’s T20-clean sweeping against the West Indies, and controlled her out of England’s summer and a hundred.

Knight has not yet returned to competitive actions, but continues its recovery and is hopeful to be fit in time for the tournament, which runs from September 30-November and lives on Sky Sports.

Sarah Glenn is one of four specialized spinners in the troop and one of six players embarking on their first Odi-World Cup, with the 25-year-old returning to the Odi troop after missing out on India in the summer.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge also returns, after last mentioned to England in the 50-over format under their 16-0 ash defeat in Australia, but Kate Cross, Maia Bouchier or Alice Davidson-Richards have been left out.

The eight-team tournament is the first under England’s new leadership of Captain Nat Sciver-brown and head coach Charlotte Edwards, where Australia returns as defense champions after beating England in the 2022 final.

England Women Squad: Em Arlott (Warwickshire), Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze), Lauren Bell (Hampshire), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Charlie Dean (Somerset), Sophia Dunkley (Surrey), Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire), Lauren Filer (Duurham), Sarah Glenn (The Blaze), AMYY), AMYY) Jones (Lancashire), Harde, Hurthour, Harge, Hurthon Knight (Somerset), Emma Lamb (Lancashire), Night Sciver-Brown (The Blaze; Captain), Linsey Smith (Hampshire), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey)

Edwards excited for knight’s return and explaining extra spinner

England reached the final of the previous two 50-over world championships and beat India at home in 2017 before losing to Australia in the 2022 edition in New Zealand.

They will be among the favorites for the World Cup again, with Edwards supporting her team to ‘do something special’ and challenge for victory.

“Being chosen to play for your country in a World Cup is one of the greatest honor in the sport, and I am very fond of all the players named in the team,” Edwards said.

“Like all global tournaments, it will be a huge challenge, but we will go as far as we can in India and I think if we play our best cricket we can compete with someone.

“The conditions mean that we have gone after the extra spinner and we are lucky to be able to have such a depth in this department, it is great to welcome Sarah Glenn. That means there is no room for Kate Cross, Maia Bouchier or Alice Davidson-Richards, which will be disappointing to them.

“It’s also great to have Danni back in the troop, she has been in good shape in domestic cricket, and she will bring dynamics and depth to our batting with Heather, which we are definitely happy to choose. She will be a great asset to us.

“India is a great place to play cricket and as a group we have a huge opportunity to go and do something special. The ODD world championships are the highlight of our sport. They only come around every four years and we are so happy to come over there to start our preparation.”

2025 Women’s World Cup: England Fixtures

Friday 3. October: England against South Africa – Bengaluru
Tuesday 7th October: England against Bangladesh – Guwahati
Saturday October 11: England against Sri Lanka – Guwahati
Wednesday 15 October: England against Pakistan – Colombo
Sunday 19 October: India against England – Indore
Wednesday, October 22: Australia against England – Indore
Sunday 26 October: England against New Zealand – Guwahati
Wednesday 29 October: SemiFinal 1 – Guwahati/Colombo
Thursday 30 October: Semi -final 2 – Bengaluru
Sunday 2nd November: Final – Colombo/Bengaluru