Heather Knight explains decision to leave out Tammy Beaumont from England's Commonwealth Games squad

Despite playing 99 T20Is for the hosts, Beaumont was omitted from the 15-strong group for the eight-team tournament

England's intent to be "more aggressive" during the powerplay led to the decision to leave out Tammy Beaumont from their Commonwealth Games squad, says captain Heather Knight.

Beaumont has played 99 T20Is but her strike rate of 108.37 ultimately counted against her.

Bryony Smith or Sophia Dunkley are among the candidates to open alongside Danni Wyatt in the eight-team competition, starting on July 29.

"Tammy's ODI form is indisputable," Knight said of Beaumont, who has 1,721 T20I runs and is one of three England women with a century in the format.

"She's one of the best players in the world and has been for a long time and she would've wanted to prove a point.

"We just felt we wanted to be more aggressive in the powerplay in T20 and we feel we've brought in players that can bring that fearlessness, that aggressiveness to the squad."

^{Knight will first lead her 15-strong squad into three T20Is against South Africa (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)}

There is a degree of freshness to this England group. Uncapped 17-year-olds Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp are included but there is no place for Mady Villers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, the injured Tash Farrant, Charlie Dean, Emma Lamb or Lauren Bell.

Knight added: "It's a really exciting squad - quite a bold squad but we've gone down that line with youth.

"The mentality they have is exactly what we want to add to our squad.

"It's a huge positive for us as a group to have that competition. It keeps everyone on their toes - that's what's been very big for Australia."

The same 15-strong squad selected for cricket's return to the Commonwealth Games will face South Africa in a three-match T20I series on July 21, 23 and 25.

For the first time since 1998, when a 16-team 50-over men's tournament was played in Kuala Lumpur, cricket will grace the multi-sport showcase in Birmingham with all matches taking place at Edgbaston.

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