Bouchier and Dean to miss first T20 against New Zealand, Emma Lamb called up as replacement

The Southern Vipers duo have been identified as possible Covid-19 contacts

Southern Vipers duo Charlie Dean and Maia Bouchier will miss England’s first Vitality T20I against New Zealand after being identified as possible Covid-19 contacts.

The pair were the only uncapped players named in England's 15-strong squad on August 24 and were in line for possible debuts on September 1 at Chelmsford.

However, both players will now miss the series opener to undergo further testing and will rejoin the squad ahead of the second T20I at Hove on September 4. 

Uncapped allrounder Emma Lamb has been called up to the squad as a replacement, having previously been a member of England’s 24-strong training group last summer.

^{Emma Lamb has been called up as a replacement}

Lamb, who represents Thunder in the two women’s regional competitions, has been in fine T20 form this season. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup, the 23-year-old has scored a tournament-leading 218 runs at a strike rate of 152.44 in four appearances, including a 61-ball 111 against Sunrisers, as well as picking up nine wickets.

Prior to this, she scored 233 runs and took five wickets for Lancashire in the Women’s County Championship.

England squad for the first T20I: Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Freya Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson, Danni Wyatt, Emma Lamb