The experienced Nadine George has retired from international cricket and the West Indies will prepare to contest the ICC Women's World Cup in March without her.

The 40-year-old wicket-keeper and left-handed opener played in the 2005 World Cup in South Africa and is not in a 20-member training squad named Tuesday to contest the World Cup in Australia from March 7-22.

Cricket history

George, a Jamaica-born St Lucian, created history when she became the first West Indies woman to score a Test century, hitting 118 against Pakistan in Karachi in 2004.

Most of the players who toured Sri Lanka last November, including the tour's vice-captain Kirbyina Alexander, make up the nucleus of the training unit named by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Talented young players Anisa Mohammed, Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Stacy-Ann King, Afy Fletcher, Danielle Small and Shanel Daley predictably retain their spots from the Sri Lanka trip.

Newcomers include the Dominican all-rounder Pearl Etienne.

Veterans Pamela Lavine, Cordel Jack and Debbie-Ann Lewis, who were on the World Cup squad to South Africa four years ago but not on the recent Sri Lanka tour, are recalled for the training camp in Barbados from January 21-31.