Sixteen year-old Laura Harper, the off-spin bowler from Cornwall whose technique attracted attention last summer, has been selected for the 14-strong England Women’s Cricket Squad playing against South Africa this summer. She played regularly with the County’s U-15 boys, in the absence of a girl’s team, but when forced to choose opted to take part in the 1999 Women’s County Championships.

She is just one of the young new internationals players. All rounder, Aaran Thompson from Lancashire, takes her ‘A’ levels before joining the squad for the first three One-Day International games. The series starts at Chelmsford on Tuesday 20 June. The reserves include another ‘A’ level student from Yorkshire, Laura Spragg, and 15-year old bowler Leanne Davis from the other side of the Pennines.

The selectors, headed by Yorkshire’s Eric Chapman, will review the squad before the last two international games so that they can consider other players’ form in the early part of the season. "We need to encourage our talented youngsters," he said, "but we cannot play them all in one game. With the World Cup coming up in November we want to give some of the younger players an opportunity on the international stage."

Clare Connor retains captaincy

Clare Connor retains the Captaincy. She was appointed for the New Zealand leg of the winter tour after Karen Smithies resigned of at the end of the Australian leg. Smithies has not been selected for this squad but Eric Chapman says, "There is no reason why Karen should not be considered for the later games, if she regains her form early in the season." Melissa Reynard, who first represented England on the winter tour has been appointed Vice Captain. Nicki Shaw and Dawn Holden are also playing their first home internationals.

The full squad

The full squad is: Clare Connor, (captain, Sussex), Melissa Reynard (vice-capt, Yorks), Jane Cassar, (East Midlands), Barbara Daniels (West Midlands), Charlotte Edwards, (East Anglia) Laura Harper (Cornwall), Dawn Holden (West Midlands), Kathryn Leng (Yorks) Laura Newton, (Cheshire), Lucy Pearson (East Anglia), Nicki Shaw (East Midlands), Claire Taylor (Thames Valley), Clare Taylor (Yorks), Aaran Thompson (Lancs).