Kirstie Gordon Returns to Scotland Squad After Playing for England

Kirstie Gordon, 28, is preparing for her second T20 World Cup after switching allegiance back to Scotland in December 2025. She will open the tournament against Ireland at Old Trafford on Saturday. Gordon left Scotland in 2018 to pursue a full-time professional career in England.

She played five matches for England at that year's T20 World Cup, where the team finished runners-up, and earned a Test cap against Australia in 2019. ECB rules now permit Scots to play professionally in England while representing Scotland internationally. A back injury delayed Gordon's return, but she took 3-27 in a win over the Netherlands last month.

Her last appearance for Scotland before the switch came against Staffordshire in July 2017. At the time, players drove their own minibus across the border and often missed school on Mondays to compete. Gordon said the decision formed over several years.

"It was on my mind for a long time, a number of years really, just making sure it was the right time and I was ready to make that decision," she said. " She discussed the move with head coach Craig Wallace through the middle of 2025. "It took a while and a lot of chats with Craig Wallace.

It got to the stage in the middle of 2025 where I was saying to him 'I think I'm ready'," Gordon said. Scotland won Division Three of the Women's County Championship in 2014 after beating the Netherlands in Coventry. The side later defeated Bangladesh for the first time during a pre-World Cup tri-series in Edinburgh.

Gordon described the change in Scottish women's cricket. "It's chalk and cheese," she said. "The level of professionalism around this group is so good. " Spin bowler Abtaha Maqsood was ruled out of the World Cup squad after fracturing her hand against Pakistan.

Yorkshire's Hannah Rainey was called up as her replacement. Scotland's group includes hosts England, Ireland, defending champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies. The team will play England at Headingley on 20 June.

"I'm really excited for it," Gordon said of the fixture. " Gordon added that the squad believes it can compete. "We know when we play really good cricket, we can beat anybody and challenge anybody," she said.