KAREN SMITHIES OBE has been confirmed as England women's cricket captain up to and including the next World Cup, in December 2000 in New Zealand.

Clare Connor becomes vice-captain for this summer's series against India while England have included three uncapped players, Gill Richards, 18, from Shifnal, Shropshire, Katie Lowe, 23, from West Bridgeford, Notts and Ella Donnison, 24, from Kirby-in-Ashfield, Notts in their 16.

The squad has been selected to attend a team building weekend from April 30 to May 1 in Purbeck near Corfe. A squad of 13 to play India in July will be announced on June 1.

England coach Paul Farbrace and the England selectors chose to retain Smithies, skipper since 1993, after three days' training at Trent Bridge at Easter.

Farbrace said: ``Karen has the steel and leadership qualities to do the job and similar views on the way we should play to me. That is a major bonus and will help bring the best out of all the players.''

Smithies, 30, Assistant Manager, Sales and Marketing at Leicestershire County Cricket Club, was appointed for the 1993 World Cup and led England to victory in the final against New Zealand at Lord's.

She has captained the side ever since and has won 14 Test caps and 60 from One-Day Internationals. She first represented England in 1986.

Richards, a left-arm spinner and outstanding fielder, has already played for England U-21 and U-17s. All-rounder Lowe first played for junior England sides in 1993 and Donnison, a top order bat who also kept wicket for England U-21, won her first England U-19 cap when she was 13.

Farbrace said: ``Gill has a lot of potential and it was time we gave her the chance at senior level. Katie is a natural striker of the ball and has put in a lot of hard work to force her way into the squad. Ella is a quality batter and a fantastic team person.''

England play three One-Day Internationals against India in July before their one four-day Test match, as follows:

July 6 Old Trafford
July 9 Northampton 
July 11 Trent Bridge
July 15-18 Test - Shenley, Herts

England squad: Karen Smithies (capt, East Mids), Clare Connor (vice-capt, Sussex), Gill Richards (West Mids), Kathryn Leng, Clare Taylor, Melissa Reynard (Yorks), Charlotte Edwards, Lucy Pearson (East Anglia), Jane Cassar, Katie Lowe, Ella Donnison (East Mids), Sue Redfern (Derbys), Sarah Collyer, Laura Newton (nee MacLeod) (Cheshire), Claire Taylor (Thames Valley), Katharine Winks (West).

© 1999