Kent's Tammy Beaumont and Tash Farrant included in England squad for ICC World Cup in New Zealand

Kent duo Tammy Beaumont and Tash Farrant have been selected in England's 15-strong squad for their defence of the ICC Women's World Cup in New Zealand, which begins on March 5 against Australia.

England opener Beaumont was part of the side who beat India in the final at Lord's in 2017 and was named player-of-the-tournament after scoring 410 runs.

Seamer Farrant, along with Beaumont, has just returned from England's unsuccessful Ashes tour down under, and played in the final one-day game in Melbourne - an eight-wicket loss.

Jonathan Finch, director of England women’s cricket, said: “The ICC Women’s World Cup is a special event in the international women’s cricket calendar and we are excited by the squad we have selected.

“The chance to refocus our intentions immediately after the disappointment of the Ashes is exciting and provides an opportunity to embrace the challenge of a global event.

“The England Women’s A series that ran alongside the Ashes enabled a wider group of players to compete for a place in the squad, which has made for some tough calls on selection.

“Success at World Cups is often the pinnacle of a player’s career and we wish all those selected all the best in their quest to win on the world stage.”

Squad: Heather Knight (Berkshire,captain), Tammy Beaumont (Kent), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Freya Davies (Sussex), Charlie Dean (Hampshire), Sophia Dunkley (Surrey), Kate Cross (Lancashire), Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire), Tash Farrant (Kent), Amy Jones (Warwickshire), Emma Lamb (Lancashire), Nat Sciver (Surrey, vice-captain), Anya Shrubsole (Berkshire), Lauren Winfield-Hill (Yorkshire), Danni Wyatt (Sussex). Travelling reserves: Lauren Bell (Berkshire), Mady Villiers (Essex).