Charlie Dean and Maia Bouchier in England's squad for Women's Ashes

England A will tour Australia concurrently, and a 12-strong group has been named - Alice Capsey and Issy Wong are among those included

England Women have named their squad for the upcoming Ashes series, with Charlie Dean included in the 17-strong party after the off-spinner impressed during her introduction to international cricket in the summer.

Maia Bouchier, who plays with Dean at regional level for Southern Vipers and is similarly without a central contract, is included in a squad that is otherwise full of experience, led by Heather Knight, with Nat Sciver as her second-in-command.

For the first time, England are being accompanied in Australia by a second string, featuring 12 players – among them Georgia Elwiss, who featured in the Test draw against India in June, and Beth Langston, who last played international cricket in 2016 but was an unused member of England’s World Cup-winning squad a year later.

There is a return to the fold for Kirstie Gordon – albeit with England A – two years after her most recent England appearance, which came in the Ashes Test draw at Taunton in 2019. Eve Jones is the oldest uncapped player among the A team, whose captain has not yet been revealed.

Members of that group, which will play six games against Australia A and help in England's preparations with two multiday warmup matches, could be shifted into Knight's main squad while on tour.

"It gives us great depth and provides so much competition for places," said England head coach Lisa Keightley of the two-pronged tour. "It's also an invaluable development opportunity for those players pushing for senior selection.

"We've got a nice blend of experienced pros and youngsters, and it's a trip we've been preparing for since the end of our summer. A multi-format series is a great test of all our skills, and we can't wait to get out there."

^{Alice Capsey has been included in the England A squad for the tour of Australia (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)}

Emma Lamb, who made her T20I bow in a win over New Zealand in September, is the most recently capped player on the England A trip.

Issy Wong, who has remained in Australia after her Women's Big Bash exploits with Sydney Thunder, is one of several emerging talents involved. Alice Capsey, the youngest, is another: the South East Stars batter, who also bowls off spin, only turned 17 in August and has enjoyed a remarkable year, playing a key role in her region's Charlotte Edwards Cup victory, while starring in The Hundred for Oval Invincibles.

Her domestic teammate Tash Farrant has been an England regular over the course of the last year, but this marks her first call-up since regaining her central contract in November, when she effectively replaced Fran Wilson, who has retired from international cricket. Farrant is one of six frontline seam bowling options at Knight's disposal, with four specialist spinners also picked.

The series is due to begin on January 27, with the one-off Test taking place in Canberra. As a result, the tourists’ preparations upon arrival will focus on red-ball cricket, with three T20Is and three ODIs following between February 4 and February 19.

England have not won in Australia since the 2013/14 series when Charlotte Edwards was captain and the first tranche of central contracts were still six months from coming into existence.

England squad: Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

England A squad: Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Eve Jones, Beth Langston, Emma Lamb, Bryony Smith, Ellie Threlkeld, Issy Wong