Kira Chathli named England A captain for women's T20 and 50-over series vs India A
Synopsis
Surrey wicketkeeper-batter Kira Chathli, fresh off her first senior England call-up, will captain England Women A against India A in a six-match series spanning T20s and 50-over fixtures across five English venues in late June and early July — a high-stakes audition for players on the edge of full international honours.
Key Takeaways
Kira Chathli (Surrey) named captain of England Women A for the series against India Women A .
Series comprises three T20Is (20, 23, 25 June) and three 50-over matches (28 June, 1 and 4 July).
Three capped England players — Jodi Grewcock , Ryana MacDonald-Gay , and Charis Pavely — are included.
The squad is coached by National Lead Batting Coach Jon 'JJ' Lewis .
Venues span Northampton , Essex , Sussex , and Taunton .
Kira Chathli, the Surrey wicketkeeper-batter, has been appointed captain of England Women A for a six-match bilateral series against India Women A, comprising three T20 internationals and three 50-over fixtures scheduled across late June and early July 2025. The appointment comes shortly after Chathli earned her first call-up to the senior England women's squad, underlining her rapid rise through the domestic ranks.
Squad and Key Selections
The England A squads feature three players with full international caps — Jodi Grewcock, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, and Charis Pavely — alongside several emerging names who have impressed in domestic cricket, The Hundred, and the England Women U19 programme. The T20 and 50-over squads share a core group, with Flo Miller, Charley Phillips, and Chloe Skelton featuring only in the longer-format side.
What the Coach Said
Jon 'JJ' Lewis, National Lead Batting Coach, said in an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement on Thursday: 'The India series will be another test of where this very talented group of players is at. Earning selection for an A side is proof you're on the right path, but the next challenge is scoring runs or taking wickets consistently in domestic cricket and pushing for senior selection.'
Lewis added: 'A series against another nation is always a positive thing, and I'm sure we'll learn a lot from it. I'm delighted for Kira, I'm sure she'll look forward to leading the group, and I know she'll take a lot from it.'
Match Schedule and Venues
The T20 leg opens on 20 June at the County Ground, Northampton, with a second game on 23 June at the same venue before the third T20 moves to the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Essex on 25 June. The 50-over series begins on 28 June at The County Ground, Sussex, and concludes with back-to-back matches at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton on 1 July and 4 July.
Full Squads
England Women A T20 squad: Kira Chathli (captain), Grace Ballinger, Jodi Grewcock, Emma Jones, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Ella McCaughan, Kalea Moore, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Sophia Smale, Alexa Stonehouse.
England Women A 50-over squad: Kira Chathli (captain), Grace Ballinger, Jodi Grewcock, Ella McCaughan, Flo Miller, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Charley Phillips, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Alexa Stonehouse.
The series represents a significant development pathway opportunity for both nations, with several players on the fringes of senior selection on either side. How Chathli leads — and performs with bat and gloves — will be closely watched by England selectors ahead of the senior international calendar.
Point of View
A model that has worked unevenly in the past. For India A, the series is an equally important proving ground, and how their emerging players perform on English pitches and conditions will inform selection conversations ahead of future bilateral senior tours.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kira Chathli?
Kira Chathli is a wicketkeeper-batter who plays for Surrey in domestic cricket. She recently received her first call-up to the senior England women's squad and has now been appointed captain of England Women A for the series against India A.
When and where is the England A vs India A women's series being played?
The series runs from 20 June to 4 July 2025. The three T20s are at the County Ground in Northampton (20 and 23 June) and the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in Essex (25 June). The three 50-over fixtures are at The County Ground in Sussex (28 June) and The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton (1 and 4 July).
Which England A players have full international caps?
Three players in the England Women A squads hold full international caps: Jodi Grewcock, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, and Charis Pavely. The rest of the squad comprises domestic cricket standouts and England Women U19 graduates.
Who is coaching the England Women A side?
The England Women A team will be coached by Jon 'JJ' Lewis, who serves as the National Lead Batting Coach for England women's cricket.
Why does this series matter for the players involved?
According to coach Jon Lewis, the series is a key step on the pathway to senior selection. Players must back up A-team selection with consistent run-scoring or wicket-taking to push for places in the full England women's side.
