KATE LOWE and GILL RICHARDS join the England Women's Cricket Squad for the first time for the One Day International Series and Test Match against India in July. The three One Day matches start at Old Trafford on Tuesday 6 July.

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Kate Lowe (23) bats in the middle order and is a top-class fielder. ``She is an attacking cricketer,'' says coach Paul Farbrace, `` and will add an extra dimension because of her fielding.'' Lowe has had to miss a couple of seasons through a knee injury.

At 18, Gill Richards has to complete her A-Levels before she can take on the Indian Team. A left-arm spinner, Richards has been a member of the England Under-21 (U-21) team and plays for West Midlands. ``We are looking ahead to the World Cup in 2000 in selecting Gill for the squad,'' says Farbrace. ``This series against India is followed by our winter tour to Australia and New Zealand then a home series against South Africa before the World Cup in New Zealand in December 2000. We are building towards that competition.''

Karen Smithies retains Captaincy

Karen Smithies, the captain who led England to World Cup success in 1993, captains the side. ``We have not met India since 1995, as we were in different groups for the 1997 World Cup and were both knocked out in the semi-finals,'' she says, `` but they have spin bowlers who can turn the ball and bowl line and length. They will present us with a different challenge from Australia who were here last year. India is ranked 4th in the World and we are ranked 3rd, so it should be a competitive series and could give a pointer to the 2000 World Cup.''

New Vice Captain Clare Connor, left-arm off spinner, becomes Vice-Captain for the first time. She takes over from Barbara Daniels who is concentrating this season on her role as the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) National Manager Women's Cricket.

Charlotte Edwards tops the batting line-up, with Kathryn Leng and Jane Cassar moving up the order, now that Jan Brittin has retired and Barbara Daniels is taking a year out. These changes give Leng and Cassar new opportunities and responsibilities.

The bowling attack is spearheaded by Lucy Pearson and Clare Taylor, with support from Laura Newton. Newton is a powerful all-rounder and returns to the side after having her first baby in January.

The full squad is: Team: Karen Smithies, Captain (East Midlands), Clare Connor, Vice Captain (Sussex), Jane Cassar (East Midlands), Sarah Collyer (Cheshire), Charlotte Edwards (East Anglia) Kathryn Leng (Yorkshire), Kate Lowe, (East Midlands), Laura Newton (Cheshire) Lucy Pearson (East Anglia), Suzanne Redfern (Derbyshire), Gill Richards (West Midlands), Clare Taylor (Yorkshire), Claire Taylor, (Thames Valley)

Staff: Paul Farbrace, Coach; Jane Powell, Assistant Coach/ Manager; Graham Dilley, Bowling Coach; Joce Brooks, Sports Psychologist and Physiologist; Karen Giles, Physiotherapist.

The three One Day International Series against India starts on Tuesday 6 July at Old Trafford, with games at Northampton on Friday 9 July and Trent Bridge on Sunday 1 July. All games start at 11am

The four-day Test Match takes place at Shenley, Hertfordshire, from Thursday 15 - Sunday 18 July. Play starts at 11am each day.

The Indian team's first outing is in a Three Day match against the England U-21 team at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes from Monday 21 to Wednesday 24 June. Play starts at 11am each day.

The full itinerary for the Indian Women's Cricket Tour follows.

Itinerary for Visiting Indian Women's Cricket Tour

Friday 18 June Arrive

Monday 21 June to Three Day Match versus England Under-21 Team at Wednesday 23 June Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Friday 25 June One Day Game versus England Under-21 Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Saturday 26 June One Day Game versus Ireland Campbell Park, Milton Keynes

Thursday 1 July One Day Game versus ECB XI York

Tuesday 6 July First One Day International versus England Old Trafford, Manchester

Friday 9 July Second One Day International versus England Northampton

Sunday 11 July Third One Day International versus England Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Thursday 15 July Four Day Test Match versus England to Shenley, Hertfordshire Sunday 18 July

© 1999