Alex Hartley returns for ODI series against New Zealand

Alex Hartley, the left-arm spinner, has been brought back to the 15-member England one-day international squad for the world champions' three-match series against New Zealand.

Hartley, 24, played the last of her 23 ODIs when England were on tour in India earlier this year. A poor series, when she picked up just one wicket in three games as India won 2-1, meant she was left out of the series against South Africa at home in June.

But Hartley, who picked up 2/58 in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 final win against India at Lord’s, has been in good form for Lancashire in the Women’s One-Day Cup, and that facilitated her recall.

Along with her, Katie George, the 19-year-old left-arm medium pacer who made her England debut during the Twenty20 International tri-series in India and was part of the 50-over touring party there, and was also in action in the T20Is against New Zealand, has earned a call-up too.

“I've been pleased with how we've played this summer. "We've got a bit of competition for places, which is healthy, and as such we've got a group of players pushing each other to improve all the time,” said Mark Robinson, the England head coach.

“It's good to have Alex Hartley back with the group and Katie George has had a promising start to her career at this level and we look forward to taking on New Zealand.”

Danielle Hazell, the experienced 30-year-old off-spinner, however, remained out of favour. She played the ODI series in India, but has now missed two series in a row, the one against South Africa and now the upcoming set against New Zealand.

The series of three games, which are part of the ICC Women’s Championship, will be played in Leeds (7 July), Derby (10 July) and Leicester (13 July).

New Zealand, who are at the top of the championship table after two rounds of matches compared to England’s fourth, have had a mixed time on tour. They first blanked Ireland in a one-off T20I and three ODIs, before topping South Africa to reach the final of the triangular T20I series, where they went down to England.

**England squad:**Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Katie George, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Sarah Taylor (wk), Anya Shrubsole, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.