Middle East tensions force England to move T20 World Cup camp from Abu Dhabi

The England women’s cricket team has moved its T20 World Cup preparation camp to South Africa after canceling a training program in Abu Dhabi amid security concerns related to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.Around 30 players will now gather in Pretoria for a training camp. They will be divided into two teams of 15 players each for a five-game intrasquad series scheduled for March 10-27.Both teams are named after former England players Jan Brittin and Rachel Hayhoe-Flint, who were part of the home World Cup winning side.England captain Nat Seaver-Brent will lead the Brittain side. The team will be coached by former Durham batsman and England Women’s assistant coach Jon Lewis. Vice-captain Charlie Dean will captain Hayhoe-Flint, with assistant coach Luke Williams in charge.Head coach Charlotte Edwards will oversee both teams during training camp. She said the series will help players compete for a spot in the team ahead of the home T20 World Cup.“This is a fantastic opportunity for every player involved to put their hand up and prove they are an invaluable part of our World Cup plans,” Edwards said in a press release, according to news agency PTI.“This is the same opportunity for every player, whether they are new to the team or have already played 100 games. We want to use this series as an opportunity to stretch ourselves and put ourselves under pressure in a competitive game.“We have held two training camps this year in Oman and Stellenbosch with a focus on skills. Our next step is to add a more competitive element and I am very pleased with the performance of the team ahead of the summer.”This will be England’s second training camp in South Africa this year, following skills-focused camps in Oman in January and Stellenbosch last month.England are scheduled to play white-ball series against New Zealand and India ahead of the T20 World Cup from June 12 to July 5. They will then play a women’s Test match against India at Lord’s.Heyhoe-Flint Team: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean (captain), Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Alexa Stonehouse, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.Team Brittin: Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Freya Kemp, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Paige Scholfield, Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Linsey Smith, Rhianna Southby, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.