England call up Danielle Gibson and Lauren Filer for Women’s Ashes Test

England have named the uncapped Western Storm duo of Danielle Gibson and Lauren Filer in their 15-player group for next week’s Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.

Jon Lewis’ side begin their quest to win back the Ashes for the first time since 2014 with a five-day Test against Australia from June 22. Twelve members of the group have featured for England before in red-ball cricket, but Filer and Gibson, along with Alice Capsey, are now vying to earn their Test debuts.

All-rounder Gibson travelled as a reserve to the T20 World Cup in February and has had a fine season with recent half-centuries for the Storm in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. Filer has claimed eight wickets in four Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches in 2023, and could feature in a warm-up against Australia ‘A’ at Derby from Thursday.

England have also named their A-squad for a three-day warm-up game with Australia at Leicester from Thursday. Danni Wyatt and Alice Davidson-Richards, who are both part of the 15-player Test group, are included.

“We are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting Ashes series,” Lewis said. “We are fortunate that our talent pool is growing fast, this has enabled us to pick a nicely balanced squad.

“Dani [Gibson] is one of the form cricketers in the country, she is improving both with bat and ball and if selected in the team, offers us a dynamic cricketer who can change the momentum of the game. Lauren is a genuine wicket-taking threat with good pace and swing. Again, if selected in the playing 11, she offers us a point of difference in our bowling attack that could impact a Test match at any point in the game.

“Our preparations are going well and this week’s upcoming games against Australia ‘A’ and Australia give us another great