Sarah Taylor will return to the top of the batting order in India

Uncapped off-spinner Danielle Wyatt is in the 15-strong England women's squad to tour India in February and March.

The 18-year-old from Stoke replaces fellow spinner Holly Colvin, who is unavailable because of her academic commitments at Durham University.

Wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor returns after being rested for England's recent series defeat in the West Indies.

Star batter Claire Taylor is still taking a break from cricket, but will return for the World Twenty20 in April.

She was recently named as Women's Cricketer of the Year by the International Cricket Council, but is concentrating on her management consultant job and will return to training in February.

England, who won the World Cup and World Twenty20 in 2009 as well as retaining the Ashes, are due to play five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals in India.

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They will hope to bounce back after losing 2-1 to the Windies in both limited-overs formats - with Colvin the only player missing from the 14 who toured the Caribbean.

Sarah Taylor's return will strengthen the top of the batting order, while she should also reclaim the wicketkeeping gloves from Tamsin Beaumont.

Former skipper Clare Connor, now the England and Wales Cricket Board's head of women's cricket, said: "The team has had an outstanding year in 2009 but attentions have already turned to what will be a challenging year in 2010.

"India will be a real test for the squad - without Claire Taylor and Holly Colvin there are opportunities for other squad members to stake a claim for a place ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in April and the series against New Zealand this summer.

"It is a demanding place to play cricket and the fact that no squad member has ever won a series in India proves just what a challenge the three weeks will be.

"The girls will be determined to change their losing record in India and come back with wins in both the one-day and Twenty20 series."

The squad is due to arrive in Bangalore on 15 February, with the first ODI four days later.

England squad to tour India: Charlotte Edwards (Kent, capt), Caroline Atkins (Sussex), Tamsin Beaumont (Kent), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Lydia Greenway (Kent), Isa Guha (Berkshire), Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire), Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire), Laura Marsh (Sussex), Beth Morgan (Middlesex), Ebony Rainford-Brent (Surrey), Nicky Shaw (Surrey), Anya Shrubsole (Somerset), Danielle Wyatt (Staffordshire).

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