The China Mail - England include ex-skipper Knight in Women's World Cup squad as Cross misses out

Top-order batter Knight has not played since damaging her hamstring in May but was still selected in a 15-strong squad for the tournament, which runs from September 30 to November 2.

Given conditions in the sub-continent are expected to provide plenty of turn, England coach Charlotte Edwards has included four specialist spin bowlers.

Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean are joined by leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, who missed the recent series against India but is now set for her first 50-over World Cup.

Glenn has effectively replaced Cross, with Edwards deciding she can get by with a reduced number of quick bowlers.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge is also back after losing her place in the one-day international squad set-up following last year's humiliating 16-0 points loss to Australia in the multi-format Ashes, while Maia Bouchier and Alice Davidson-Richards have missed out.

"Conditions mean we have gone for the extra spinner and we’re lucky to be able to have such depth in this department, it's fantastic to welcome Sarah Glenn back," said Edwards, who replaced the sacked Jon Lewis earlier this year following the Ashes embarrassment.

"That does mean there's no room for Kate Cross, Maia Bouchier or Alice Davidson-Richards, which will be disappointing for them."

Former England captain Edwards, one of the outstanding female cricketers of her generation, added: "It’s also great to have Danni back in the squad. She’s been in good form in domestic cricket and she’ll bring dynamism and depth to our batting, alongside Heather, who we are absolutely delighted to be able to select. She’ll be a huge asset for us."

England underperformed badly at last year's T20 World Cup and it is now eight years since they last won the ODI equivalent on home soil.

"Like all global tournaments, it will be a huge challenge but we want to go as far as we possibly can in India and Sri Lanka and I believe that if we play our best cricket we can compete with anyone," said a buoyant Edwards.

“As a group we have a huge opportunity to go and do something special."

In all, there are nine survivors from the last World Cup campaign in 2022, when England were beaten in the final by Australia, and just four who lifted the trophy at Lord’s in 2017 -- Knight, Wyatt-Hodge, Tammy Beaumont and current captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.

England squad:

Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones (wkt), Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

T.Wu--ThChM