England announce women's academy squad

England have announced their women's academy squad for a stint at the High Performance Camp in Bangalore in March.

Paul Shaw, the recently-appointed high performance manager, has selected 13 players for the squad's first trip to India. The players will meet at the National Cricket Performance Centre for four days before departing for Bangalore on March 16 for a ten-day visit.

"It was important to the selectors and the coaching staff to make sure we have got the best high potential players from around the country at this point in time," Shaw told ECBTV.

"These are the best players coming through. It's a very young squad but they are the most high potential that we feel will go on and play for England. We will give them every opportunity to make that happen.

"The majority have been in the system for a little while, but we've got two or three that we have pulled in over the last year or so which has been based on our talent ID - scouts and selectors identifying them with counties and then bringing them into the academy where they have performed exceptionally well to be given a place on such a prestigious tour."

Shaw said India was because it is the venue for the next World Cup, in three years time and will provide a stern examination for his young charges."India will give them the best chance to be exposed to a number of different experiences - the environment, the culture, the conditions," he said.

"The environment that India brings is so important for our players and their development. With the World Cup coming up in February 2013, what a fantastic opportunity to develop our players ready to be called upon if needed by their country."

Academy squad Lauren Griffiths (Cheshire), Susie Rowe (Kent), Lauren Onojaife (Essex), Beth Macgregor (Essex), Heather Knight (Devon), Kate Cross (Lancashire), Jasmine Titmuss (Nottinghamshire), Rochelle Petty (Yorkshire), Jenny Halstead (Middlesex), Charlie Russell (Sussex), Izzy Westbury (Somerset), Karen Baker (Kent), Fran Wilson (Somerset).

Reserves: Jo Cook (Essex), Georgia Elwiss (Staffordshire)