The Central Sparks are hoping their upcoming pre-season trip to India will both continue and ignite intense preparations for the 2024 season as the team will be based in Mumbai for ten days from Monday 18 March.
Head coach Lloyd Tennant and his team will fly out to Mumbai and play six friendly games over ten days, while training in between.
A quartet of players touring with both England A and England U19 squads respectively, Hannah Baker, Grace Potts, Charis Pavely and Davina Perrin will not travel with the squad, due to their international selections.
Sparks duo Ami Campbell and Georgia Davis, two influential figures in the first team will be a part of the touring squad and are ready & raring to go in India.
Last season's leading wicket taker in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, Davis said: "I think the whole team is excited to get out there and get going into games.
"It's the first time we've ever been on tour as a team so I think there's a real excitement about this particular trip."
Davis continued: "The warm weather is definitely going to help as well. We've got a really good mix of both senior and younger players going on this tour, so it will be a great opportunity for everyone involved.
"When we first get there I think it will be about getting used to being back on grass, getting set bowling outdoors again. Then as we get into games we want to start putting in to practice all the hard work we've put in over the winter."
While on tour in Mumbai, Sparks will be facing regional rivals Northern Diamonds in three friendlies (2x T20's & 1x 50 overs), who are joining us in India. As well as taking on Dani Hazell's team, the side captained by Eve Jones will also be going up against a local opponent.
Former Diamonds batter Ami Campbell discussed the excitement she feels about heading to the West coast of India for ten days of cricket. She said: "India will be an awesome experience for us to play together as a unit.
"We've been worked so hard together this winter and I'm excited to see us put it into action against some competitive sides.
"Some sunshine and a change of scenery will be very welcomed at this stage of winter."
After an impressive 2023 campaign which saw Davis become the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy's leading wicket taker and a season that also led to an involvement in a recent England A tour of India - the Birmingham-born spinner added: "I feel in a good place at the moment with my bowling. I've changed a couple of things which I'm happy with and I'm looking forward to putting it into practice in games when we're away.
"I just want to continue to help contribute to the team in a positive way."
As one of the more experienced heads in the Sparks team, Campbell also added: "I'm looking to play freely and test out some things I've been working on over winter, even if that is making mistakes and putting them right before the season.
"It's all about the experience, getting creative with my cricket and I'm ready to go out there and put it into practice."
The conditions are set to be testing, with the heat Mumbai will offer, Sparks' number six said: "I think playing on different pitches will be hugely beneficial for us.
"Learning to adapt to whatever is put in front of us can only make us stronger as a team.
"The heat will add an extra challenge, but the team is looking fit and we're ready for it.
"Getting the opportunity to build our team environment and get a head start compared to any other season we've had, is only going to make us stronger and I'm excited to see it all unfold and play my part."
On the preparation Mumbai will give the team prior to kick-starting the 2024 season against Midlands rivals The Blaze, Davis added: "Everyone has been working hard on their game over the winter and the last few weeks, we've been putting that work into more scenario based training.
"So, having the opportunity to see how that is taken into a game will be really beneficial for the whole side.
"We are extremely lucky to have this great opportunity which will put us in a great position ready for the season's start."