Nat Sciver-Brunt and Charlie Dean to lead two squads in Pretoria as England Women prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup

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England women’s national cricket team will travel to Pretoria for a training camp after their planned trip to Abu Dhabi was cancelled due to security concerns linked to ongoing regional tensions.

A group of 30 England women’s players will take part in the camp as they begin preparations for the upcoming 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in England later this year.

The players will be divided into two squads of 15 for a five-match intra-squad series scheduled from March 10 to March 27 in Pretoria. The teams will be named Team Brittin and Team Heyhoe-Flint, in honour of former England greats Jan Brittin and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, both of whom lifted the Women’s World Cup on home soil.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will lead Team Brittin, coached by assistant coach Jon Lewis. Meanwhile, 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 emphasised that the series will be a key opportunity for players to prove themselves ahead of the World Cup.

Edwards said the competitive environment will allow players to push their limits and strengthen their case for selection in the tournament squad.

“This is a big opportunity for every player involved to put their hand up and demonstrate that they’re an invaluable part of our World Cup plans,” Edwards said. “It’s the same chance for every player, whether they’re new to the team or have played over 100 matches. We want to stretch ourselves and perform under pressure in competitive match situations.”

Eight players in the touring group are yet to make their senior international debut. Among them is 19-year-old opener Davina Perrin, who grabbed attention with a 43-ball century for Northern Superchargers in the Eliminator of The Hundred last season.

She is joined by left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, whose impressive economy rate and wicket-taking ability made her one of the standout bowlers in last year’s Women’s Hundred.

Former England Under-19 captain Grace Scrivens will also travel to South Africa, along with Alexa Stonehouse, Grace Potts and Jodi Grewcock. Lancashire captain Ellie Threlkeld has also earned a call-up, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Rhianna Southby.

However, leg-spinner Sarah Glenn will miss the camp after suffering a finger fracture during training in February.

This will be England’s second training camp in South Africa this year after previous skills-based camps in Oman in January and Stellenbosch last month. Edwards believes the Pretoria camp will introduce a more competitive phase of preparation.

Before the T20 World Cup begins, England will host white-ball series against New Zealand women’s national cricket team and India women’s national cricket team. England will also face India in a historic women’s Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground later in the season.

Squads for the Pretoria Training Series

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.