Lauren Filer set for return to action in West Indies warm-up fixture
Fast bowler provides experienced head in otherwise youthful ECB Development XI
ESPNcricinfo staff
17-May-2025 • 7 hrs ago
Lauren Filer has been out of action since the Ashes with a knee injury • Getty Images
Lauren Filer will make her first appearance since the Women's Ashes Test in Melbourne in January, when she takes on the touring West Indies in a T20 warm-up in Canterbury on Sunday.
Filer, England's fastest bowler, has been out of action since the Ashes whitewash with a knee injury, but will provide an experienced head in an otherwise experimental ECB Development XI, captained by Somerset's Katie Jones.
With the contest taking place in close proximity to the Vitality T20 Women's County Cup and Metro Bank One Day Cup fixtures, the selectors have opted to give precedence to those domestic matches, and have instead opted for a youthful squad featuring several players who played in the Women's Under-19 World Cup in January.
These include the captain Jones, a wicketkeeper who was named in the ICC's team of the tournament after claiming nine dismissals in England's run to the semi-finals, including seven stumpings, as well as Phoebe Brett, Olivia Brinsden and Charlotte Stubbs.
West Indies will remain in Canterbury after the contest, with the first T20I against England set to take place at the same venue on Wednesday.
ECB Development XI: Katie Jones (Somerset; captain), Ellie Anderson (Somerset), Phoebe Brett (Warwickshire), Olivia Brinsden (Lancashire), Emma Corney (Somerset), Lauren Filer (Durham), Liberty Heap (Lancashire), Tilly Kesteven (Lancashire), Bethan Miles (Surrey), Chloe Skelton (Somerset), Charlotte Stubbs (Durham), Annie Williams (The Blaze), Genevieve Jeer (Surrey non-playing role)