Laura Newton
The opener is an established member of the England women's side and has formed a strong partnership with Charlotte Edwards at the top of the order.
Their ability was highlighted during the npower Test against New Zealand at Scarborough in 2004 when they put on 163 for the first wicket, with Laura making 103.
Made her England Under 19 debut aged 15 and played through the England age groups, including an Under 19 tour to South Africa in 1998. Started playing boys' cricket aged 12.
Made her England ODI debut in the summer of 1997 against South Africa at Hinckley, travelling to the World Cup in India later that year where she made three appearances. Also made her Test debut against India in 1999.
Was voted the NatWest Player of the Series against South Africa (summer 2003) for innings of 68 and 77 not out consecutively.
She is an ECB qualified level three cricket coach and coaches boys and girls at all levels in Cheshire. Plays for Lancashire CCC.
Selected in the England squad for the World Cup in South Africa (2005), and helped her side reach the semi-finals before losing to Australia.
Was an ever present in the 2005 NatWest Women's Series against the same opponents and was England's third leading run-scorer with 149 in five innings, including 61 in the decider at Taunton.
That was not enough to prevent a 3-2 series defeat but Newton was part of the team which ended a run of 12 years without a win against Australia at Stratford.
Also helped England win the Ashes with a 1-0 Test series victory.
Selected for the winter tour to Sri Lanka and India and made an impressive start with the bat, scoring half-centuries in both one-day internationals against Sri Lanka as England won the series 2-0.
Also made an unbeaten 51 in the tour match against India Under 21 as, along with Charlotte Edwards (91 not out), she helped secure a 10-wicket victory.
Featured in the Test and opening three ODIs in India, making 40 in the third game but that proved her final contribution on the tour as she suffered an injury whilst diving to field a ball in the covers.
An X-ray revealed a fracture in her little finger on her left hand and Newton was forced to return home early.
Back for summer 2006 and selected in the squad to take on India.
