Ecclestone missed the opening stages of Edwards’ reign due to a knee injury and announced last week that she was taking a break from domestic cricket with Lancashire to “prioritise her well-being” and manage a sore quad.
But the plan was always for the team’s most highly-rated bowler to return for the five-match series against India and the slow left-armer takes her place in a 14-strong squad.
- England women’s cricket results and fixtures 2025 📋
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with NOW 📺📱
- Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want! 🔔
Ecclestone’s comeback means no room for leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, who drops out after featuring in just one of the three T20s against the West Indies.
Head coach Charlotte Edwards said: “It’s great to have Soph back and we’re looking forward to having her back in the group. She has obvious qualities and she’ll be an asset to us.
“It does mean Sarah Glenn misses out. We are blessed with a strong group of spinners and we unfortunately can’t play them all. It’s now a great opportunity for Sarah to go back to The Blaze and play some competitive cricket in the Vitality Blast.”
Em Arlott and Issy Wong are included again after coming in for Edwards’ first series but the team must once again do without former captain Heather Knight, whose hamstring problems have already ended her summer.
Reflecting on the challenge of taking on a strong India team who sit third to England’s second in the International Cricket Council rankings, Edwards added: “They’re one of the best sides in the world and it’ll be a huge test for us.
“There was lots to be happy about in the West Indies series but equally lots of things we want to keep improving on – we’re always looking at getting better.
“Five games against India in front of big crowds at great venues will serve us really well. This is a significant series for us with the countdown well and truly underway towards the home ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.”
England squad for IT20 series against India
Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze) (captain), Em Arlott (Birmingham Bears), Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze), Lauren Bell (Hampshire Hawks), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Charlie Dean (Somerset), Sophia Dunkley (Surrey), Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire Thunder), Lauren Filer (Durham), Amy Jones (The Blaze), Paige Scholfield (Surrey), Linsey Smith (Hampshire Hawks), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey), Issy Wong (Birmingham Bears).
T20 international series at home to India (June-July)
- First T20: Saturday June 28 (2.30pm)- Trent Bridge, Nottingham
- Second T20: Tuesday July 1 (6.30pm) – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
- Third T20: Friday July 4 (6.35pm) – The Kia Oval London
- Fourth T20: Wednesday July 9 (6.30pm) – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- Fifth T20: Saturday July 12 (6.35pm) – Edgbaston, Birmingham
One-day international series at home to India (July)
- First ODI: Wednesday July 16 (1pm) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton
- Second ODI: Saturday July 19 (11am) – Lord’s, London
- Third ODI: Tuesday July 22 (1pm) – Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Watch England’s first T20 international against India live on Sky Sports Cricket from 2pm on June 28 – Stream cricket with NOW
