Clare Connor, captain

Born: 1.9.76
Right-hand bat; left-arm spinner
Brighton and Hove WCC and Sussex

Appointed captain during the 1999-2000 tour to Australia and New Zealand, she has grown into the role both on and off the field. Capable of batting anywhere in the order, she is also a key member of the attack with her well-flighted spin bowling. Like teammate Lucy Pearson, she is a teacher by profession.

Sarah Collyer

Born: 3.10.80
Right-hand bat; right arm medium pace bowler
Somerset Wanderers and Somerset

Made her England debut as a 17-year-old but has not played since the 2001 Women's Ashes series against Australia, in part due to university studies in Bristol. Achieved her best international bowling figures of 5-32 in New Zealand during the 2000 World Cup.

Charlotte Edwards

Born: 17.12.79
Right-hand bat
Invicta WCC and Kent

Vice-captain of the team, she missed almost an entire year's cricket following cruciate ligament surgery in 2001. Warmed up for the tour by playing for Northern Districts in New Zealand's State League and made 120 off 129 balls against Wellington.

Mandie Godliman

Born: 5.4.73
Right-hand bat, wicket-keeper
Redoubtables WCC and Sussex

Has replaced Jane Cassar as first-choice behind the stumps and is also a capable bat, making 65 in a Test against India last year. Like Charlotte Edwards and the two Taylors - Clare and Claire - she has been playing recently in New Zealand domestic cricket.

Laura Harper

Born: 21.1.84
Right-hand bat; off-spin bowler
Somerset Wanderers and Somerset

Only 16 when she made her senior England debut against South Africa in 2000, she went on to play in the World Cup in New Zealand later that year. Figures of 4-11 in a one-day game against India last summer were her best in international cricket.

Dawn Holden

Born: 9.9.80
Right-hand bat, slow left-arm bowler
Thrumpton WCC and Nottinghamshire

Graduated to the senior side after playing for England at under-17, under-21 and A team level. Relies on accuracy rather than devastating turn, and added to her experience by playing for Western Australia in 2001-02.

Kathryn Leng

Born: 28.9.73
Left-hand bat, leg spin bowler
Wakefield WCC and Yorkshire

Scored 144 in a Test against New Zealand in 1996, but fell out of favour after the 2000 World Cup in New Zealand. Regained her place last summer when she opened the batting against India. A student at Bradford/Leeds University Centre of Cricket Excellence.

Laura Newton

Born: 27.11.77
Right-hand bat, right-arm medium pace bowler
Wolverhampton WCC and Cheshire

Made her debut in 1997, but time off to have two children has restricted her international career. Showed what she is capable of by scoring 98 in last summer's Test against India at Taunton. Also a level 3 cricket coach.

Lucy Pearson

Born: 19.2.72
Left-hand bat; left arm medium pace bowler
Wolverhampton WCC and Staffordshire

The tour marks her return to international cricket after suffering a stress injury to her right ankle last summer. A reliable performer with the new ball, who has best figures of 3-14 against South Africa. Formerly read English at Oxford University.

Nicki Shaw

Born: 30.12.81
Fast bowler
Thrumpton WCC and Nottinghamshire

First introduced to the game at the age of seven and is now a student at Nottinghamshire Cricket Academy. Entrusted with the new ball for last summer's one-off Test against India, she bowled with plenty of heart to take 3-74.

Laura Spragg

Born: 16.6.82
Left-hand bat; left-arm medium pace bowler
North Riding WCC and Yorkshire

Having toured India last winter, she came to the fore on home soil in 2002 by taking 2-31 from 10 overs in the Tri-Series final against New Zealand. Also helped Yorkshire retain the Women's County Championship title.

Claire Taylor

Born: 25.9. 75
Right-hand bat, wicket-keeper
Thmas Valley and Berkshire

England's leading run scorer in the 2000 World Cup, she followed that with an innings of 137 in a home Test match against Australia. the following summer. Has made three half centuries for Canterbury in the State League this winter.

Clare Taylor

Born: 22.5.65 Right-hand bat; right-arm medium pace bowler
Wakefield and Yorkshire

The only woman to play in the cricket and football World Cup, she became the first England bowler to take 100 international wickets last summer. A regular visitor to New Zealand where she has played in domestic cricket for Otago. Awarded an MBE in 2000 for service to women's sport.

Arran Thompson

Born: 23.11.81
Right arm medium pace bowler
North Riding and Lancashire

England's best player on last winter's tour to India, she shared a world record first wicket stand of 200 with Caroline Atkins in the Test match at Lucknow. Athletic and competitive, she is also studying for a degree at Loughborough University.