Price and Broadfoot win World Cup recalls

Julia Price, the Queensland wicketkeeper, has regained her Australia spot after a two-year absence as part of the 14-player squad for the women's World Cup in South Africa next month. Price replaces Leonie Coleman and is joined in the side by Louise Broadfoot, the Victoria allounder who last represented Australia in July 2001.

Price scored 252 runs at 42.00 in this season's Commonwealth Bank Women's National Cricket League, which was won by Victoria yesterday, and also collected a record 16 dismissals. "I've waited a while and worked really hard over the past few years to try and force my way back," Price said.

Broadfoot, 26, scored 148 runs in the tournament and claimed 10 wickets at 25.20 with her legspin. "I've had a solid season this year and have worked hard to develop more consistency," she said. "I knew if I kept applying myself I could be a chance for selection. I was there in 2000 when we lost the World Cup, and hopefully we can go one step further this year."

Margaret Jennings, the national chairperson of selectors, said the inclusion of Price and Broadfoot would strengthen the squad. Seven players remain from the 2000 World Cup, which Australia lost by four runs to New Zealand.

The AIS-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars play three one-day international matches against New Zealand in Perth before departing for South Africa on March 16. Australia face seven preliminary matches in the World Cup and the top four countries progress to the finals.

Australia Belinda Clark (capt), Karen Rolton, Alex Blackwell, Kate Blackwell, Louise Broadfoot, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Julie Hayes, Melanie Jones, Lisa Keightley, Shelley Nitschke, Julia Price (wk), Clea Smith, Lisa Sthalekar, Emma Twining.