Alex's England dream a step closer after Sri Lanka tour selection
20 April 2015
Gloucestershire allrounder Alex Macdonald has been called up to take part in a specialist batting and spin bowling camp in Sri Lanka alongside a host of established England internationals.
The call-up brings the Bristol Phoenix player’s hopes of a full international cap another step closer. England take on Australia in the Ashes this summer with third one-day of the multi format series taking place at the Bristol County Ground on July 23.
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Alex (back row, 3rd player from rt) will fly to Colombo on April 19 as one of three late replacements to the 12-strong group following injuries to Jodie Dibble Amy Jones and Laura Marsh.
The 23-year-old's selection is reward for a number of impressive displays for the England Women’s Academy against their Australian counterparts in Dubai recently. Alex made important scores of 38 not out in the third one-day game and 23 in the fourth to help her team level the series at 2-2.
The training squad are led by England women’s vice-captain and former Gloucestershire Academy product Heather Knight. During their 12-day stay in Colombo they will also play three one-day matches against a Sri Lanka Women’s “A” team on April 23, 26 and 29.
Speaking ahead of departing for Sri Lanka, Heather Knight said the trip would provide valuable experience of different conditions– especially for younger players like Macdonald.
She said: “It is a brilliant opportunity for some of the younger girls included in the group from across the England women’s cricket pathway to gain some experience of playing in tough, subcontinental conditions – especially with the ICC World Twenty20 taking place in India next year.
“In the short-term the training camp will form a really important part in our preparation for this summer’s Women’s Ashes.”
The players will arrive in Colombo on Sunday (April 19) and will spend just under two weeks training under the guidance of England Women’s Assistant Coach, Carl Crowe and EWA Head Coach, Lisa Keightley.
England women’s cricketers to attend Sri Lanka batting and spin bowling training camp in full:
Stephanie Butler EWA Staffordshire
Katherine Brunt EWPS Yorkshire
Sophie Ecclestone EWDP U19 Cheshire
Georgia Elwiss EWPS Sussex
Rebecca Grundy EWPS Warwickshire
Alex Hartley EWA Middlesex
Danielle Hazell EWPS Yorkshire
Heather Knight EWPS Berkshire
Emma Lamb EWA Lancashire
Alex McDonald EWA Gloucestershire
Lauren Winfield EWPS Yorkshire
Danielle Wyatt EWPS Nottinghamshire
Key
• England Women’s Performance Squad: EWPS
• England Women’s Academy: EWA
• England Women’s Development Programme Under-19s: EWDP U19
Fixture dates: all against Sri Lanka Women’s “A” team:
• Thursday April 23, Nondescripts Cricket Club, 50-overs
• Sunday April 26, Colts Cricket Club, 50-overs
• Wednesday April 29, Nondescripts Cricket Club, 50-overs
