Derbyshire-born duo named in England squad

Derbyshire-born duo, Sarah Glenn and Bess Heath, have been named in the England Vitality IT20 squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, which includes a fixture at The Incora County Ground.

Heath, 21, came through the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation’s Women and Girls’ Pathway after being discovered aged nine at a Chance to Shine school open day, and played for the Girls’ Pathway from Under 11s to the first team.

She went on to feature in the Kia Super League for Yorkshire Diamonds in 2018 and 2019 and has since become a key member for Nothern Diamonds side in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachel Heyhoe Flint, scoring a combined 357 runs in the 2023 competitions, striking at over 120. She was of the Diamonds’ Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy-winning side of 2022 and has been in the England A set-up for the last 14 months.

Wicketkeeper-batter, Heath, also featured in the 2022 Women’s Big Bash for Melbourne Stars, and has been in impressive form in the 2023 Hundred, averaging 30.50 and maintaining a strike-rate above 180.

Richard Wood, Managing Director of Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Bess has been included in the squad for the upcoming series. I remember first seeing Bess in a Chance to Shine school session when she was around nine years old and you could see then she was a special talent! I had the privilege of working with Bess over a number of years through the Derbyshire County Age Groups and into the Women’s team before she made the move over to Yorkshire. She has always been a destructive player with the bat, with the ability to change a game. All of us at the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation are extremely proud of everything she has achieved in her career to date and wish her every success on the international stage!”

England face Sri Lanka at The Incora County Ground on Wednesday 6 September, as Heather Knight’s side look to maintain the form that’s seen them lose just once at Derby since 2017.

Glenn, who returned to the Derbyshire Women’s setup this year, was a key member of the England squad which handed Australia two white ball series defeats during the 2023 Ashes series.

England Women’s Vitality IT20 squad

Heather Knight (captain, Western Storm)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers)
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
Kate Cross (Thunder)
Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Mahika Gaur (Thunder)
Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers)
Issy Wong (Central Sparks)
Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)

Vitality Women’s IT20s

1st IT20: Thursday 31 August 2023, The 1st Central County Ground, Hove
2nd IT20: Saturday 2 September, The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
3rd IT20: Wednesday 6 September, The Incora County Ground, Derby