Random Thoughts On The Academy Squad

England have named a 14-strong Academy squad to travel to UAE for 6 matches against their Australian equivalents, the Shooting Stars.

They are: Tammy Beaumont (C), Steph Butler, Jodie Dibble, Georgia Elwiss (VC), Tash Farrant, Alex Hartley, Amy Jones, Eve Jones, Beth Langston, Sophie Luff, Alex MacDonald, Sonia Odedra, Fran Wilson, & Loz Winfield.

• TB has retained her position as Academy Captain, but I have to say... I'm not quite sure why! She isn't a candidate for the England captaincy in years to come; so I'm not sure it mightn't have made more sense to give the opportunity to someone who actually may be - e.g. Sophie Luff, who has (if I recall correctly???) previously captained England at junior level.
• Sonia Odedra is still on the radar; and it isn't difficult to conceive a role for her in this summer's Women's Ashes. Odedra isn't as fast as some; but she has a reliable stock delivery and an aggressive quicker ball; so should England suffer injuries to Brunt and Shrubsole (not the most unlikely scenario) she could be the one to step in, especially with the Test happening after the ODIs.
• As WCB has noted, the omission of Danni Wyatt is interesting. My understanding is that Wyatt was given to believe that she would go on this trip, having had precious-little opportunity in New Zealand; so my guess is that either she is crocked, or the coaches believe that they will get more benefit working with her in the nets at Loughborough. (I can't believe she has dropped out of the picture entirely - that would make no sense at all, with England so short on "Strike Rate" batting.)
• Amy Jones has to keep wicket on this tour - England need her to be ready to step in in case Taylor is injured this summer. And presumably this is the intention, which is why Carla Rudd has been left at home - the Berkshire keeper has done nothing wrong, but Amy-J needs mitten-time.