According to major media reports, England was due to fly to the UAE on Wednesday, but the trip was canceled after US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted retaliatory strikes by Iran across the region. A training camp in Abu Dhabi was canceled over the weekend due to Iran bombing the UAE after US-Israel strikes. The England women's training camp originally planned in the UAE has been moved to Pretoria in South Africa.
However, The Independent reports that the ECB has been searching for alternative venues but has no confirmed plans. The tour is key practice for England before the T20 World Cup, as England has no competitive fixtures this winter and has not played since October. England has not been together as a team for five months, with the squad scattered since reaching the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup in India last October.
Some players joined ECB skills camps in Oman and South Africa, 15 English players played in Australia's Big Bash League, and a handful of players played in the Women's Premier League in India. England was the only major nation not to play in a bilateral series over the winter. The impact of the change in training location on England's preparation for the T20 World Cup is unclear.
Two full squads will travel to South Africa for a five-match T20 series, with players split between two teams. Team Heyhoe Flint will be captained by Charlie Dean and coached by Luke Williams, while Team Brittin will be captained by Nat Sciver-Brunt and coached by Jon Lewis. Charlotte Edwards will work across both squads.
There are eight uncapped players across the two squads, and Sarah Glenn is absent due to a broken finger.