England Women's pacer Issy Wong has replaced fellow teammate Emily Arlott for the upcoming one-off Test against South Africa starting June 27.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that Arlott had been ruled out of England Women's Test match against South Africa, and Wong will replace her in the squad.
"Emily Arlott has been ruled out of England Women's LV= Insurance Test match against South Africa, and has been replaced in the squad by Issy Wong," stated the ECB press release.
On the back of some strong performances for Central Sparks, the uncapped pacer earned her maiden Test call-up in the 13-player squad.
It has been stated that Arlott tested positive for COVID-19, but she recovered from the deadly virus. However, she opts out of the Test match and returns home as it is believed that she's still suffering the after-effects of the infection.
"Arlott is returning from COVID-19 but is still feeling the after-effects of the infection, so has left the group and returned home," added the release.
It's unfortunate for the 24-year-old right-arm medium pacer to miss out on the possibility of playing the Test match as she was one of the five prime candidates to be rewarded with the debut Test cap.
Arlott's Central Sparks teammate Issy Wong will replace her in the Test squad. The 20-year-old seamer was already with the England Women's Test squad as a travelling reserve. And now the Chelsea-born is in line to make her Test debut.
Freya Davies and Lauren Bell, batter Emma Lamb and all-rounder Alice Davidson-Richards could all make their Test debut in a bowling attack now shorn of the retired Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Brunt. Uncapped Emma Lamb is set to open the batting with Tammy Beaumont.
The one-off Test match is scheduled to get underway at the County Ground in Taunton on Monday (June 27). Four points will be awarded for winning the Test, while the sides will take two points each in the event of a draw.
England squad for the one-off Test against South Africa: Heather Knight (Captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver (Vice-captain), Issy Wong.