England selectors have named their final 14 players for the CricInfo Women's World Cup in New Zealand starting next month.

The 14 players include previous World Cup winners Clare Taylor, Barbara Daniels and Jane Cassar. There is also a place for maiden tourist Laura Harper, the 16 year-old spin bowler from Cornwall who made her wicket taking debut against South Africa this summer. England beat South Africa 3-2 in a five match series of One-Day Internationals.

Coach Paul Farbrace said "It's a very talented, professional and diverse squad, predominantly young, but with invaluable experienced players too. They are the right mix of solid performers and sheer match winners. The team have worked extremely hard in the past six months to prepare for this tournament, and I expect them to perform to their potential in New Zealand. If they do, we'll reach the semi-finals at least and could be in the final on 23 December".

England Captain Clare Connor, playing in her second World Cup, said "It's a fantastic honour to lead England in a World Cup, especially as we know we can do well. Both our individual and team preparations have been helped enormously by Sport England lottery funds and we go to the Cup on the back of a good win against South Africa this summer. We can't wait."

The 14 includes 18-year old Arran Thompson, Captain of England's successful Under-19 team and 28 year-old fast bowler Lucy Pearson who was named Vodafone Player of the Year in September. Leanne Davies, Laura Spragg, Laura Newton and Jackie Hawker were omitted from the provisional squad announced last month.

Squad: Clare Connor (Sussex) Captain; Melissa Reynard (Yorks) Vice-Capt; Jane Cassar (Notts); Sarah Collyer (Lancs); Barbara Daniels (Staffs); Charlotte Edwards (Kent); Laura Harper (Somerset); Dawn Holden (Notts); Kathryn Leng (Yorks); Lucy Pearson (Staffs); Nicki Shaw (Notts); Claire Taylor (Berks);Clare Taylor (Yorks); Arran Thompson (Lancs)

The first Women's Cricket World Cup in 1973 was won by England who repeated the success 20 years later in 1993. Australia have won the four other World Cup tournaments. CricInfo World Cup 2000 will be held at Christchurch, New Zealand from Wednesday 29 November through to the final on Saturday 23 December. England's first fixture will be against Netherlands on Thursday 30 November at BIL Oval in Lincoln

© CricInfo Ltd