English Women prepare for Twenty20 challenge

Following in the footsteps of Afro-Asia Cup organisers, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will organise two women's Twenty20 matches between an England XI and an Invitational XI on the same day as men's domestic Twenty20.

Before the Somerset v Northamptonshire match at Taunton on 24 June, Rosalie Birch's England will face Alexia Walker's Invitation XI and then the two teams will meet again on 26 June at Edgbaston ahead of Warwickshire v Northamptonshire game.

The ECB, from these matches, will be aiming to showcase the women's game to a captive audience - a target which Afro-Asia Cup organisers achieved so successfully in Bangalore on 5 June.

England captain Birch is excited with the prospect of playing in front of a good audience. "It is a brilliant idea as it will promote the game and will also create awareness amongst the masses on women's cricket besides providing women with a real cricket environment where good cricket will be appreciated."

23-year-old Birch, who has played six Tests and 32 one-day internationals, admits there will be added pressure on the players. "I agree the presence of good audience will bring added pressure on the players but at the same time I think it will also bring the best out of the players.

"It will be a good experience where the players can learn to adjust and handle pressure and deliver. Cricket is all about holding your nerve and that's something we can learn from these two games," says Birch, who works in Sussex CCC's communications department.

The matches will also provide an excellent opportunity for the newly appointed England coach Mark Dobson to scout talent for the upcoming series against New Zealand. The three-Twenty20 and six-match ODI series will be played between 12 and 30 August.

"We are happy to have Mark as our new coach and we all look forward to working together to take the team to higher levels," says Birch.

"It will definitely be a very competitive series because both teams have made progress in the last three years since we beat them. Although we have yet to name the squad for the series, it will contain the most exciting talent available," Birch says.

Teams

England XI (to be selected from): Rosalie Birch (captain), Sarah Taylor, Lydia Greenway, Caroline Atkins, Beth Morgan, Nicola Shaw, Lynsey Askew, Steph Davies, Ebony Rainford Brent, Isa Guha, Laura Marsh, Danielle Hazell

Invitational XI: Alexia Walker (captain), Jenny Gunn, Vic Lind, Claire Taylor, Briana Binch, Laura Joyce, Megan White, Jane Smit (only for 26 June game), Holly Colvin (only for 24 June game), Jasmine Titmuss, Anya Shrubsole, Kate Oakenfold, Sophie Le Marchand (only for 24 June game), Hannah Burr (only for June 26 game)