England hope Kemp can bowl in New Zealand T20 series

England hope that all-rounder Freya Kemp will be able to bowl in their T20 series against New Zealand as head coach Jon Lewis announces a 16-player squad.

Batter Sophia Dunkley returns to the group after showing good form at regional level, and joins an otherwise unchanged squad that sealed a T20 series victory against Pakistan in May.

Left-arm seamer Mahika Gaur, 18, is unavailable to play due to a small side strain but will be with the squad as she returns to fitness.

Kemp has been playing as a batter only for England and South Vipers, after suffering multiple stress fractures of the back.

The 19-year-old missed the 2023 T20 World Cup with the injury.

She bowled on England's tour of India in December 2023, but suffered a recurrence of the injury in the new year.

Head coach Jon Lewis said: "We are pleased to welcome Freya Kemp back as an all-rounder and we will hopefully see her bowl across this series as she returns from injury.

"This five-match series against a strong New Zealand side is important for us and also vital preparation as we build towards the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh."

The T20 series begins in Southampton on 6 July, and follows a three-match ODI series from 26 June.

The fifth T20 at Lord's on 17 July is live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer with commentary of every game on BBC Sounds.

The T20 World Cup is in Bangladesh from 3-20 October.

6 July: First T20 – The Ageas Bowl, Southampton

9 July: Second T20 – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove

11 July: Third T20 – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence

13 July: Fourth T20 – The Kia Oval, London

17 July: Fifth T20 – Lord’s, London