Wed Nov 27 17:28:59 UTC 2024: ## England Call Up Youngsters Smale and MacDonald-Gay for South Africa Tour
**Benoni, South Africa –** England’s women’s cricket team has bolstered its ranks in South Africa with the call-up of two young stars, Seren Smale and Ryana MacDonald-Gay. The additions come after reserve wicketkeeper Bess Heath was ruled out of the tour with a fractured thumb sustained during training.
Heath, who was only part of the T20I squad, will return to the UK for rehabilitation. Smale, 19, and MacDonald-Gay, 20, both made their ODI and T20I debuts in Ireland last September. Smale joined the squad on Tuesday ahead of the second T20I in Benoni and has also been added to the Test squad as cover for Heath. MacDonald-Gay will link up with the team on Wednesday, bringing the Test squad to 15 players.
England currently leads the three-match T20I series 1-0 following a win at the weekend. The tour will continue with three ODIs before culminating in a one-off Test match in Bloemfontein on December 15th. The inclusion of Smale and MacDonald-Gay provides valuable depth and experience for England as they aim to secure a successful tour of South Africa.
First Piper 