ENGLAND omitted two of their World Cup winners today from a 14-strong squad to face South Africa in their first two one-day internationals this month.

Fran Wilson and Alex Hartley will be missing for the fixtures at Worcester and Hove — the first two of three in the series.

But Katherine Brunt, Georgia Elwiss, Laura Marsh, Sarah Taylor and Lauren Winfield are all set to return after sitting out England’s tour of India.

Coach Mark Robinson said: “It should be a really exciting summer against two of the best teams in the world.

“South Africa are an up-and-coming team with some really dangerous players.

“They pushed us close the last time we met them and we will have to be at our best to beat them.

“It’s obviously great to have Katherine and Sarah back and Lauren and Laura’s recent form has earned them recalls.”

England, who beat South Africa in a thrilling match at Bristol to reach last summer’s World Cup final at Lord’s, will be back in 50-over action for the first time since lifting the global trophy 11 months ago.

With International Cricket Council women’s championship ranking points at stake, they will be embarking on their bid to qualify for the next World Cup in 2021 and will then face South Africa again in a Twenty20 tri-series also involving New Zealand.