Brunt, Taylor back in England squad for South Africa ODIs

The experienced Katherine Brunt, Sarah Taylor and Laura Marsh return to the England Women side for the ICC Women’s Championship matches against South Africa starting June 9.

The trio are among five changes to the Heather Knight-led squad that played three one-day internationals in India in April.

Georgia Elwiss and Lauren Winfield also find a place in the 14-member squad named for the first two of three ODIs by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday, 4 June.

Alex Hartley and Fran Wilson, who were both part of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 winning squad, have been left out.

Brunt, who missed the India tour with a back injury, has recovered in time for these matches.

Winfield returns to the squad on the back of two half-centuries in May for Yorkshire. Marsh, the off-spinner, too has been prolific for Kent

This will be England’s first ODIs on home soil since their 2017 World Cup victory. It will also be the first time the two sides have met since the dramatic semifinal of the same event. South Africa's Dane van Niekek has already said her team "owe [England] a big one" and that they will be out for revenge.

“South Africa are an up and coming team with some really dangerous players. They pushed us close the last time we met them and we will have to be at our best to beat them,” said Mark Robinson, the coach.

After the three ODIs on June 9, 12 and 15, the teams will be joined by New Zealand for a Twenty20 international tri-series.

Squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones (wk), Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Nat Sciver, Sarah Taylor (wk), Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt.