Ryana MacDonald-Gay secures spot in England's Test squad for Women's Ashes

Ryana MacDonald-Gay has secured her spot in England's Women's Ashes Test squad following an impressive debut in South Africa earlier this month.

MacDonald-Gay, the 20-year-old seam bowler, has played two ODIs and one T20I after making her international debut on England's tour of Ireland in September.

She impressed both captain Heather Knight and South Africa's star allrounder Marizanne Kapp in taking 2 for 50 during South Africa's first innings, though she was only required to bowl one over as the hosts were bowled out for 64 in a 286-run victory for England.

She joins allrounder Freya Kemp and left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who are both part of England's T20 squad only, in earning maiden Ashes selections, along with wicketkeeper-batter Bess Heath, who returns from a fractured thumb which ruled her out of the South Africa tour, to be named as part of the T20 and Test squads. Fellow seam bowler Mahika Gaur will travel with the group as she continues her return to bowling from injury.

Maia Bouchier, who scored a century on Test debut in South Africa, was named in all three squads for the Ashes.

Jon Lewis, England Women's head coach, said: "We have named balanced squads for this Ashes series, with a good mix of youth and experience. Ashes series are always special. We want to go there, play our way, and are all excited about the challenges ahead."

ESPNcricinfo Ltd

England travel to Sydney on January 2 and will play a warm-up match against a Governor General's XI on January 9 ahead of the multi-format Ashes series, consisting of three ODIs and three T20s, worth two points each, and a four-day Test, worth four points.

Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart will host the ODIs from January 12 before the T20Is in Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide. The day-night Test at the MCG will close the multi-format series for the first time since it was introduced in 2015.

During the last Ashes, in England in 2023, Australia won the Test match, which opened the series at Trent Bridge, before England triumphed in both white-ball formats resulting in an eight-all draw overall.

England Women ODI squad: Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

England Women T20I squad: Heather Knight (capt), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Linsey Smith, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

England Women Test squad: Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

2025 Women's Ashes schedule (UK dates and times)
CommBank Women's Ashes ODI Series
11 January: North Sydney Oval, Sydney (11.30pm)13 January: Junction Oval, Melbourne (11.05pm)16 January: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (11.05pm)

CommBank Women's Ashes IT20 Series
20 January: SCG, Sydney (8.40am)23 January: Manuka Oval, Canberra (8.40am)25 January: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (8.10am)

CommBank Women's Ashes Test Match
30 January-2 February: MCG, Melbourne (3.30am)