Balanced allocation of England Internationals in WCSL teams

Balanced allocation of these players will make the season competitive.

Sophia Dunkley, Katie George and Linsey Smith have all moved up north, to Lancashire Thunder and Yorkshire Diamonds respectively.

Dunkley will be captained by international teammate Kate Cross, who was yesterday revealed as Thunder’s new skipper, while George and Smith will team up at Diamonds.

Women’s and Girls High Performance Manager Jonathan Finch said: “We need those players pushing for an England place to get as many chances as possible to test themselves under pressure.

“Sophia, Katie and Linsey will all benefit from having different roles at their new teams and we hope that that will allow them to keep pushing their game on and to further their international claims.”

The tournament gets underway on Tuesday August 6, all six sides will be in action including defending champions Surrey Stars who travel to Emerald Headingley to face Yorkshire Diamonds.

Lancashire Thunder

Kate Cross, Alex Hartley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sophia Dunkley, Georgie Boyce, Emma Lamb

Loughborough Lightning

Georgia Elwiss, Amy Jones, Jenny Gunn, Kirstie Gordon

Southern Vipers

Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt, Charlie Dean, Lauren Bell

Surrey Stars

Natalie Sciver, Laura Marah, Sarah Taylor, Bryony Smith, Mady Villiers, Amy Gordon

Western Storm

Heather Knight, Anya Shrubsole, Fran Wilson, Freya Davies, Dani Gibson, Ellie Mitchell

Yorkshire Diamonds

Katherine Brunt, Lauren Winfield, Alice Davidson-Richards, Katie George, Linsey Smith, Hollie Armitage