Gordon, Brunt included in England Ashes squad for one-off Test

Kirstie Gordon, the 21-year-old left-arm spinner, has been included in England's Ashes squad for the only Test © Getty

Kirstie Gordon, the 21-year-old left-arm spinner, has been included in England's Ashes squad for the only Test against Australia which begins from July 18.

Gordon, who was impressive during World T20 in West Indies in 2018 - where she also picked up two wickets in the semifinal game against India, suffered a lower back fracture. But she now returns to the England squad on the back of a good showing - an eight-wicket haul - in the warm-up between Australia and England Women's Academy.

Katherine Brunt, the experienced pacer who has been having some back issues, is said to be fit for the upcoming Test and has been included in the 13-member squad.

Having registered a 3-0 victory in the ODIs, Australia currently enjoy a 6-0 advantage in terms of points over England. With four points up for grabs for the winning team in the one-off Test, England will be seeking a much-needed win while a draw would mean two points for each team. Following the Test, the two sides continue the Ashes affair with three T20Is, with each match carrying two points for the winner.

While a maximum of 16 points available from the Ashes series, Australia - thanks to having won the previous Ashes - need only two more to take their tally to eight that will ensure they retain the title, which makes this a must-win game for England.

"It's obviously a very important match for us and we need to win it to stay in the series," said England captain Heather Knight."The beauty of the multi-format points series means we're still very much in the battle, a normal bilateral series that finished like the ODIs would have been finished but we can get back to 6-4 with a win in the Test match and that's exciting."

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole. Lauren Winfield, Sarah Taylor.