Stonehouse drafted into England ODI squad as Wong faces hamstring scan
Synopsis
England have drafted uncapped seamer Alexa Stonehouse into their ODI squad against New Zealand as injury cover, with fast bowler Issy Wong facing a hamstring scan. The call-up comes after England's one-wicket victory in the series opener, with stand-in skipper Charlie Dean steering the side home in a tense chase.
Key Takeaways
Alexa Stonehouse , 21, called up to England ODI squad as cover for New Zealand series.
Stonehouse took six wickets in five matches at the 2023 ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup .
Issy Wong to undergo hamstring scan; further assessment pending.
England lead series 1-0 after one-wicket win at Chester-le-Street on Sunday.
Charlie Dean (not out 31 ) and Lauren Bell ( 35-run stand) sealed the chase.
Teams switch to T20I series after ODIs; Women's T20 World Cup from 12 June to 5 July .
Left-arm fast bowler Alexa Stonehouse, 21, has been called up to England's ODI squad as cover for the remainder of the series against New Zealand, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Monday. The uncapped Warwickshire seamer will join the squad in Northampton ahead of training on Tuesday and is available for selection from the second match on Wednesday.
Stonehouse's credentials
Stonehouse was part of England's squad at the 2023 ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, where she took six wickets in five matches at an average of 11.33. Her call-up signals the ECB's confidence in her potential as a long-form bowler ahead of the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in June.
Wong's fitness concern
Fast bowler Issy Wong will undergo a scan on her hamstring following an injury concern. The ECB stated that she will be further assessed by team medics before any decision on her availability is made.
England's series position
England lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after a narrow one-wicket victory in the opening match at Chester-le-Street on Sunday. New Zealand were dismissed for 210, but England stumbled to 160/7 in their chase. Stand-in skipper Charlie Dean, who remained not out on 31, anchored a 35-run partnership with tailender Lauren Bell to edge England closer. Teenage spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who had earlier taken 2 for 49, remained composed in the closing stages as England clinched victory with 10 runs still required.
What comes next
Following the ODI series conclusion, both teams will transition to a T20I series before ramping up preparations for the Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled from 12 June to 5 July in England.
Point of View
But it also masks a fragility. Wong's injury, combined with the narrow victory margin in match one, underscores how thin England's squad is as the Women's T20 World Cup looms. Stonehouse's elevation from age-group cricket to senior ODIs is rapid; her ability to handle pressure in the middle overs will be closely watched. England cannot afford slip-ups in a three-match series against a competitive New Zealand side.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alexa Stonehouse and why has she been called up?
Alexa Stonehouse is a 21-year-old uncapped left-arm fast bowler from Warwickshire. She has been drafted into England's ODI squad as injury cover for the remainder of the series against New Zealand. She previously played for England at the 2023 ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, where she took six wickets in five matches.
What is Issy Wong's injury status?
Fast bowler Issy Wong will undergo a scan on her hamstring after suffering an injury concern. The ECB will further assess her fitness before deciding on her availability for the remainder of the series.
What is England's current position in the ODI series?
England lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after winning the opening match by one wicket at Chester-le-Street on Sunday. Stand-in skipper Charlie Dean remained not out on 31 to guide England home in a tense chase.
When is the Women's T20 World Cup?
The Women's T20 World Cup will be held in England from 12 June to 5 July. Both England and New Zealand will use the ODI and T20I series against each other to prepare for the tournament.
