Charlie Dean excluded from England's Lord's Test squad for July 2026

England omit white-ball vice-captain Charlie Dean from the Lord's Test squad to manage her workload after back and calf injuries.

England squad selection England have decided not to include white-ball vice-captain Charlie Dean in their squad for the historic Test match against India at Lord's next month. Dean, aged 25 and with three Test appearances to her name, is set to lead England at the ongoing T20 World Cup after Nat Sciver-Brunt was ruled out of the next two games due to a calf injury. The decision to leave out Dean follows her own back injury at the start of the season and an early return from recovery when Sciver-Brunt also missed the beginning of the summer. England have opted to manage Dean's workload by excluding her from the Test squad. ## Test schedule and World Cup overlap The Lord's Test against India is scheduled to begin on 10 July 2026, just five days after the T20 World Cup final. Despite this tight timeline, nine players from the World Cup squad have been included in the Test squad, including Sciver-Brunt. The players not named for the Test are Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Linsey Smith, Dani Gibson, and Freya Kemp. ## New and recalled players Among the selections, 18-year-old left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman has been included after making her white-ball debut earlier in the month. Additionally, all-rounder Mady Villiers, who last played for England in 2024, has been brought back into the squad. Lancashire duo Ellie Threlkeld and Grace Potts, who have not featured for England in any format, have also earned a place in the squad. ## Final squad list The full England squad for the India Test includes Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, and Issy Wong. ## Focus on workload and recovery Many of the squad selections reflect the demands of the longest format, but Dean's omission stands out as the most unexpected, especially given her upcoming role as England's leader at the World Cup. Dean had stepped in effectively at the start of the summer, making her an obvious choice to captain England should Sciver-Brunt's calf injury not improve. Meanwhile, Dani Gibson and Freya Kemp are still working their way back from back injuries. ## Historic Test and World Cup priorities The Lord's Test marks a historic first for women's Test cricket, but England's primary focus this summer remains the home T20 World Cup. Experienced opener Tammy Beaumont, batters Maia Bouchier and Emma Lamb have been selected, with Alice Capsey poised to make her Test debut. England have not competed in the longest format under coach Charlotte Edwards, with their last outing resulting in an innings defeat by Australia during the Ashes series in early 2025. ## Bowling and batting considerations Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge were part of England's middle order in the previous Test, while Beaumont and Bouchier opened the innings. The bowling attack for that match featured Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, and Sophie Ecclestone. MacDonald-Gay, aged 22, has not been included this time after suffering a back injury over the winter and has been overlooked despite strong performances for Surrey upon her return. Her absence has paved the way for Grace Potts, who has claimed 11 wickets in both 50-over and T20 formats for Lancashire this season. Lancashire teammate Threlkeld provides a second wicketkeeping option alongside Amy Jones. ## Team background The England Women's Cricket Team is the squad in focus for the upcoming Test against India at Lord's.