England have picked uncapped batter and Northern Diamonds captain Hollie Armitage in their squad to face New Zealand, with Linsey Smith in line for an international return after a five-year absence.

With several players unavailable for the start of the T20I series due the Women’s Premier League commitments, Armitage and Smith have been given an opportunity in the squad.

What have Smith and Armitage done so far?

Smith last played a T20I in 2019 against the West Indies. The 29-year-old leg spinner has played nine T20Is so far in her career, having taken 13 wickets at an average of 14.46. With Sophie Ecclestone available until the fourth game of the five match T20I series, Smith will share spin duties with Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn.

In the 2023 Charlotte Edwards Cup, Smith was a vital part of Southern Vipers‘ title winning campaign, taking 13 wickets at 14.07. She also took 19 wickets in the 2023 Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy which the Vipers also won.

Smith will joined in the squad by Armitage who is yet to make her senior international debut. Armitage is a top order batter who also bowls leg spin and has been captain of the Northern Diamonds since 2020. She scored 167 runs across nine matches for Northern Superchargers in the 2023 Hundred, who she also captains.

🚨 ENGLAND WOMEN ANNOUNCE SQUADS FOR NEW ZEALAND TOUR 🚨

T20I squad:
✅ Tammy Beaumont
✅ Hollie Armitage
✅ Linsey Smith

*WPL players have been cleared to play from the fourth T20I onwards* pic.twitter.com/WLkh2RpqqP

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 2, 2024

Armitage has spent the winter playing in the Women’s Super Smash in New Zealand for Central Districts, who were beaten in the final of the competition by Wellington. She finished the competition as its third-highest run scorer, racking up 318 runs across ten innings.

Both Armitage and Smith will be part of England’s squad for the first three T20Is, before Alice Capsey, Ecclestone, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Dani Wyatt return from competing in the WPL. Neither have been selected in the following three-match ODI series.

The five-match T20I series begins on Tuesday, March 19 at 2pm local time in Dunedin.

England women T20I squad vs New Zealand

Hollie Armitage*, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (c), Linsey Smith*, Alice Capsey**, Sophie Ecclestone**, Nat Sciver-Brunt**, Dani Wyatt**

* First three T20Is only
* Fourth T20I onwards

England women ODI squad vs New Zealand

Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Dani Wyatt

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