County Championship is last chance for World Cup players to impress

England's senior players will rejoin their counties this week to compete in the Women's Cricket County Championship following their success in the One-Day International Series against South Africa. The 19th Women's County Championship runs from 29 July - 2 August at University Grounds, Cambridge.

The County Championship is the last opportunity players will have to impress Selectors who name the squad travelling to New Zealand for the World Cup in October. The World Cup starts on 29 November with the final on 23 December 2000.

Following their debuts in International Cricket this summer, the two youngest members of the England squad Laura Harper (16) playing for Somerset and Leanne Davies (15) for Leicestershire, will attempt to secure their international places.

Nottinghamshire, who won as East Midlands in 1999, return to Cambridge to defend their title. The side, again led by Karen Smithies, features three key England players who enjoyed success in the One-Day International Series against South Africa this summer. Jane Cassar, wicket keeper, Dawn Holden, left-arm spin bowler and fast bowler Nicki Shaw all return from England duty to join the title race.

Yorkshire, pre-tournament favourites, also field three current senior England players: Clare Taylor, Kathryn Leng, and Melissa Reynard who collected the Vodafone All-Rounder of the Series award following the One-Day Internationals against South Africa. Yorkshire had retained the Championship seven times in succession, a run ended by East Midlands last year.

Barbara Daniels will lead Staffordshire of Division II in their promotion challenge. Daniels was awarded Vodafone Batsmen of the Series after scoring 231 runs in the five matches, making her the summer's highest scoring batsman.

There are three divisions of six teams in the tournament, which is run on a round robin basis within each division. Division I consists of Berkshire, Kent, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Sussex and Yorkshire