Rising cricket stars Beth Langston and Kate Cross will have their success at the England Women's Academy rewarded with places in the squad for this month's West Indies tour.

The uncapped seamers - both 21 - will help fill the space left by Ashes heroes Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Laura Marsh and Heather Knight, who are all recovering from injury. All-rounder Arran Brindle is also sitting the tour out for personal reasons.

England and Wales Cricket Board head of women's cricket Clare Connor named the pair in a 21-strong performance squad for the winter tour schedule.

Cross - daughter of 1980 West Ham FA Cup-winner David Cross - and Langston also made it into the 14-woman team that will take on the West Indies and New Zealand in a three-way Twenty20 series kicking off on October 14, each side facing each other twice to decide who qualifies for the October 26 final.

Wicketkeeper Amy Jones is the only other player heading across the Atlantic who didn't feature in the impressive victory against Australia in August.

The team will stay in the Caribbean for a three-match one-day internationals series.

The young pair will hope to impress enough to make the grade for England's trip to Australia in December to defend their Ashes title.

Ms Connor said: "After an inspirational summer regaining the Women's Ashes, the England team now embarks on a full winter schedule starting with a tour to the West Indies.

"With a few experienced players currently rehabilitating injuries sustained during the Ashes campaign, a number of young players will have the opportunity to play key roles for the side in what promises to be an exciting tour.

"Kate Cross and Beth Langston should both be congratulated on their selection after delivering consistently strong performances at England Women's Academy level.

"Strength in depth is going to be critical to England's success over the next couple of years with more and more international cricket on the horizon."