Teenagers must wait to play in England Women's Cricket Team

Sixteen year-old off spin bowler Laura Harper (Somerset) and 15 year-old medium pace bowler Leanne Davis (Lancs) will both have to wait to see who will be the youngest player to play for the England Women's cricket team. Neither girl has been chosen for the fourth of the five One Day International series against South Africa in Taunton today, Wednesday 28 June.

The team selection suggests that England want to clinch the series, in which they are 2-1 up, by fielding tried and tested players, before blooding their young players, although Laura Harper is twelfth man.

Davis was called up from Rochdale on Sunday night when it became clear that Laura Newton would not be able to play. Newton had been struggling with a knee problem since the start of the series and has left to get treatment. Eighteen year-old Arran Thompson, another Lancashire player had to leave the squad on Sunday night after contributing 33 to a 111-run stand with veteran Barbara Daniels. Thompson has two A-level exams this week, but is expected to rejoin the team for the final game in Worcester on Saturday.

Both Harper and Davis are keen to represent their country at senior level, but are meanwhile enjoying the opportunity to train with the squad and soak up the dressing room atmosphere during the matches. "I would love to play for England and especially in a World Cup," says Davis, "but for the moment it is just great to be here." Like Harper, she knows that her time will come.