By Sarah Holt

Birch (bottom right) took 3-21 in her first one-dayer in 2003

Spin bowler Rosalie Birch cannot wait for England's tour to Australia and New Zealand to get under way after over a year out of international cricket.

A slump in form and a toe injury cost her a place in the England squad.

"It was frustrating but I deserved to be dropped. I hadn't really performed at my best for a while," 24-year-old Birch told BBC Sport.

"I'm quite nervous as I've been out of the set-up for quite a while, but I do feel I have a lot to offer the side."

Birch, who made her debut against South Africa in 2003, has not played competitive cricket since in July when a fractured toe interrupted her summer.

The injury was a further blow for the Sussex player, who had been dropped by England for the quadrangular tournament in India last February and March and the summer series against New Zealand.

But although a little apprehensive about her return to international action, she believes the time away from the game has given her renewed mental strength.

Australia will be fired up as they only have one chance to win the Ashes back Rosalie Birch

"I've learnt a lot about myself, my game and hopefully that that will make me stronger.

"I went off the boil with my bowling a bit and before I was quite naive; when it started to go not so well I didn't know how to get back to form.

"But now I will be able to deal with that in the future and what I need to do to control the situation," she said.

Birch played for Sydney club Wallsend last winter and is eager to return to Australia to pit her wits against some of her former team-mates.

She was part of the England squad which captured the women's Ashes on home soil in 2005 and hopes to play a part when they defend the trophy in a one-off Test at the Bradman Oval in Bowral, starting on 15 February.

"Australia will be fired up as they only have one chance to win the Ashes back.

"They are a very good side and being on home soil they will know the conditions," said Birch.

"But I enjoy bowling on the pitches out there as they break up a bit more so you can get a bit more out of them."

England set off for Australia next week, and will play their first warm-up game against the Victoria state side on 25 January.