World Cup winners left out of squad

England have omitted two of their Women’s World Cup winners from a 14-strong squad to face South Africa in their first two Royal London One-Day Internationals against South Africa this month.

Fran Wilson and Alex Hartley will be missing for the fixtures at Worcester and Hove – the first two of three in the series.

But Katherine Brunt, Georgia Elwiss, Laura Marsh, Sarah Taylor and Lauren Winfield are all set to return after sitting out England’s tour of India.

England, who beat South Africa in a thrilling match at Bristol to reach last summer’s World Cup final at Lord’s, will be back in 50-over action for the first time since lifting the global trophy 11 months ago.

With International Cricket Council women’s championship ranking points at stake, they will be embarking on their bid to qualify for the next World Cup in 2021 – and will then face South Africa again in a Twenty20 tri-series also involving New Zealand.

Coach Mark Robinson said: “It should be a really exciting summer against two of the best teams in the world.

“It’s obviously great to have Katherine and Sarah back, and Lauren and Laura’s recent form has earned them recalls.”

H Knight (capt), T Beaumont, K Brunt, S Ecclestone, G Elwiss, J Gunn, D Hazell, A Jones (wkt), L Marsh, A Shrubsole, N Sciver, S Taylor (wkt), L Winfield, D Wyatt.