England call-up uncapped Alexa Stonehouse for New Zealand ODI series

England Women have called up uncapped fast bowler Alexa Stonehouse for the remainder of their ODI series against New Zealand after injury setbacks involving both Issy Wong and Em Arlott.

Stonehouse, 21, is yet to represent her nation on the international level but has earned her spot in the side following some outstanding displays for Warwickshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, taking eight wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 5.94. Her best display in the tournament came in the last game against Durham, where she took 3 for 53 at Edgbaston.

Stonehouse comes into the team on the back of some concerning times for England’s side ahead of an important international summer. All-rounder Em Arlott withdrew from the squad due to concussion protocols after she was struck on the head during a nets session on Saturday ahead of the first ODI.

Wong, meanwhile, continues to recover from a hamstring injury and will have further scans to assess her fitness. The seam bowler felt discomfort in her hamstring during warm-up ahead of the first ODI against the White Ferns in Durham and was later replaced by Lauren Filer in the team. It is worth mentioning that Wong has been named in England’s T20 World Cup squad and is running a race against time to be fit for the showpiece tournament.

Stonehouse will be able to join the rest of the squad in Northampton well in time for the second ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday. It is worth mentioning that England have already given three ODI debuts in the first game of the series. Jodi Grewcock, Dani Gibson and Tilly Corteen-Coleman all played in their maiden 50-over game for their country, with Grewcock and Corteen-Coleman actually making their international debuts.

England picked up a narrow one-wicket victory over Melie Kerr’s side on Sunday in a nervy finish to the game in the North East, with the hosts chasing down the total with 10 balls to spare.

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