Brunt returns for Ashes defence

Fast bowler Katherine Brunt, who missed England's trip to Sri Lanka in order to undergo strength and conditioning training, will return to England duty after being included in a 15-player squad for the England women's tour of Australia in January.

Left-arm spinner Holly Colvin, who took time off for her university studies, and right-handed batter Beth Morgan also re-join for England's second Ashes defence of the summer with the men's team already on tour.

"After an unbeaten tour to Sri Lanka, the selectors have made a few adjustments to the squad that will travel to Australia," explained Clare Connor, Head of England Women's Cricket. The recent Sri Lanka tour successfully exposed some of our recent Academy graduates to international cricket, all of whom took their opportunities with Susie Rowe and Fran Wilson retaining their spots for the tour to Australia.

"Every cricketer dreams of a tour to Australia and I am confident that this squad will return with many successes to speak of, most notably with the Ashes retained."

England won the 2007-08 Ashes series in Australia 2-0, and retained the women's urn with a drawn series in 2009. They will play three one-day internationals, five Twenty20s and a one-off four-day Test in Sydney on their tour of Australia between January 5 and 25. The 1st and 2nd Twenty20 matches will be played directly before England men play Australia on January 12 and 14, at the Adelaide Oval and the MCG respectively.

England squad: Charlotte Edwards (capt), Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin, Jenny Gunn (vice-capt), Lydia Greenway, Lauran Griffiths, Isa Guha, Danielle Hazell, Heather Knight, Laura Marsh, Beth Morgan, Susie Rowe, Claire Taylor, Fran Wilson, Danielle Wyatt