She is being rested at the request of the ECB, as she only arrives back in the country the day before from an England spin camp in Sri Lanka.

Heather had a very successful winter Down Under playing for Tasmania Roar, helping them to their most successful season ever and she was rewarded with three individual awards.

She will return to skipper the Berkshire side on Monday when they play Surrey at North Maidenhead CC, the first time a women’s county game has been played at Summerleaze Park.

Berkshire are the only minor county playing in Division 1 and last year finished third, their highest ever placing.

For the first time, the team will be playing in coloured kit of black, green and gold with players having squad numbers on their shirts.

The squad for Monday is: Heather Knight, Lissy Macleod, Carla Rudd, Alex Rogers, Corrine Hall, Amanda Potgieter, Daisy Gardner, Linsey Smith, Emily Gerke, Immy Brown, Georgina Dean, Rachel Hardy, Lauren Bell.

They are coached by Nick Denning, the former Finchampstead and Berkshire pace bowler.

Monday’s game starts at 11am and admission is free.​