Spinner Kirstie Gordon called up as England Women announce Ashes Test squad

England have bolstered their bowling resources for the must-win women's Ashes Test against Australia in Taunton on Thursday.

The hosts have drafted in Kirstie Gordon even though the left-arm spinner has featured for the national team only in Twenty20s, her five England caps coming during the World T20 last year.

Gordon has previously represented Scotland but made herself unavailable for her native country last year, which allowed her to play in the English Kia Super League without being classed as an overseas player.

In a move similar to that of former West Indies Under-19s bowler Jofra Archer being fast-tracked into the Eoin Morgan's men squad, Gordon was then able to represent England because Scotland is classed as only an associate nation by the International Cricket Council. She starred in England's run to the 2018 World Twenty20 semi-finals.

After a period out injured, she took eight wickets in the warm-up fixture between Australia and England Women’s Academy last week, helping to secure her spot in the Test squad.

After losing the three ODIs, England are 6-0 down in the multi-format Ashes series with only the Test match, worth four points for a win, and three T20s, worth two points each, remaining. With Australia as holders of the Ashes, England must win the Test to sustain hopes of retaining the urn, which Australia have held since 2015.

Danni Wyatt and Jenny Gunn, who were a part of England’s ODI squad, will stay with England Women's Academy to take part in T20s against Australia A and Ireland. Alex Hartley, who played all three ODIs, and Fran Wilson will stay with England’s Test team in Taunton as cover.

England captain Heather Knight said: "The beauty of the multi-format points series means we're still very much in the battle. We can get back to 6-4 with a win in the Test match and that's exciting.

"The warm-up at Millfield was ideal. We saw batters get runs and spend time in the middle and the bowlers performed well to bowl out the opposition twice on a flat one. We're raring to go again to get back into the Ashes."

Squad in full

Heather Knight (Berkshire, cap)

Tammy Beaumont (Kent)

Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire)

Kate Cross (Lancashire)

Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire)

Georgia Elwiss (Sussex)

Kirstie Gordon (Nottinghamshire)

Amy Jones (Warwickshire)

Laura Marsh (Kent)

Nat Sciver (Surrey)

Anya Shrubsole (Berkshire)

Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire)

Sarah Taylor (Sussex, wicketkeeper)