England's selectors have named the 18 player training squad, from which a final 14 players will be chosen to represent their country in the inaugural women's international one-day triangular tournament against India and New Zealand this summer. England will also play two test matches against India in August.

Charlotte Edwards (Kent) and Claire Taylor (Berkshire), England's most prolific batsmen in recent years, return to the squad following injuries. Edwards, England's leading run-scorer, has been out since the World Cup in December 2000 following cruciate ligament damage to her knee.

21-year-old Caroline Atkins (Sussex) and 20-year-old Arran Thompson (Lancs) will pair up again following their World Record opening test partnership of 200, against India in Luknow in January.

With stability returning to the England batting order, England's most experienced player, Clare Taylor MBE (Yorkshire) will resume international bowling duty this summer with a career total of 99 wickets. One more will make her the first English woman to take 100 international wickets and only the third player in the world to do so.

The 18 players are:
Player                               England Caps    Date of birth
Clare Connor (Sussex) Captain          64             01.09.1976
Clare Taylor (Yorks)  Vice-Cpt         92             22.05.1965
Caroline Atkins (Sussex)                9             13.01.1981
Jane Cassar (Notts) Wicket Keeper      83             24.12.1972
Sarah Clarke (Surrey)                   3             28.03.1982
Sarah Collyer (Lancs)                  19             03.10.1980
Charlotte Edwards (Kent)               35             17.12.1979
Mandie Godliman (Sussex)                3             05.04.1973
Laura Harper (Somerset)                11             21.01.1984
Jackie Hawker (Somerset)                3             21.02.1981
Dawn Holden (Notts)                    29             09.10.1980
Hannah Lloyd (Somerset)                 2             25.08.1979
Laura Newton (Cheshire)                21             27.11.1977
Lucy Pearson (Staffs)                  41             19.02.1972
Laura Spragg (Yorks)                    0             16.06.1982	
Claire Taylor (Berks)                  26             25.09.1975
Arran Thompson (Lancs)                 17             23.11.1981
Helen Wardlaw (Yorks)                   3             11.10.1982
			

*includes full England ODI and Test Match caps 

England coach, John Harmer said: "Although the winter tour to India was disappointing, the players are improving all the time and it was great to see two young players take the world record in India".

This season also sees the introduction of 'Super Fours', a new domestic competition for elite women players across the country, which takes place in April and May. Harmer confirmed: "Super Fours provides an opportunity for someone on the fringe of the squad to break into the England team if they play well".

England's Chairman of Selectors, Patsy Lovell said: "It was difficult to choose 18 players as we welcomed back many talented cricketers either from injury or the university commitments which kept them at home this winter. It will be harder to chose the final 14, especially if Super Fours proves as competitive as we think it will."

The triangular tournament will be a first for both women's cricket and the island of Jersey, which has never before hosted international cricket.

The itinerary for Women's international cricket this summer is as follows:

The ODI Triangular Tournament:
10th July   England v India             Granville Ground, Jersey
11th July   New Zealand v India         Granville Ground, Jersey
12th July   New Zealand v England       Granville Ground, Jersey
16th July   New Zealand v England	Racecourse Ground, Durham
17th July   New Zealand v India         Racecourse Ground, Durham
19th July   *India v England            Riverside Ground, Durham
20th July   *FINAL                      Riverside Ground, Durham

* Matches televised on Sky Sport
 

TEST MATCHES:
8th-12th Aug  1st Test: England v India Shenley Cricket Ground, Hertfordshire
14th-17th Aug 2nd Test: England v India Taunton County Ground, Somerset

The Women's County Championships will take place on 27th-31st July at University Grounds, Cambridge.

© ECB