England Women's Ashes squad announced

Selectors have named an initial 18-player England squad for the 2013 Women's Ashes Series.

Natasha Farrant, Natalie Sciver and Lauren Winfield, who made their international debuts against Pakistan last week, have all been named in the squad.

Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin and Laura Marsh return after missing out on the recent NatWest Women's International matches due to continuing rehabilitation from injuries.

The final squad for each format of the Women's Ashes Series will be reduced to 15 players in early August ahead of the Test match at Wormsley Cricket Ground on August 11.

The 2013 Women's Ashes Series will comprise one Test, three NatWest Women's One-Day Internationals and three NatWest Women's International Twenty20 matches. Points will be allocated to each format - the winners of the Test will be awarded six points; two points go to the winners of each limited-overs match. The team that accrues the most points across all formats will win the series and be presented with the Women's Ashes trophy.

Head of England Women's Cricket Clare Connor said: "It is pleasing to see such healthy competition for places ahead of the Women's Ashes Series. Exciting young players from the England Women's Academy have stepped up in to the England squad in the recent internationals against Pakistan and have made an outstanding contribution on and off the pitch, one highlight being Natalie Sciver's 3-28 in just her second ODI.

"This is an exciting time for all players, both the young and experienced, who will be hoping to have the honour of taking on Australia in the Women's Ashes Series and I am delighted that our talent pipeline is providing selectors with some really tough decisions."

ECB.co.uk will have live score updates and video highlights of every day's play with BBC radio also covering all games. The three NatWest Women's International T20 matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports with the second and third matches at the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Durham ICG being played directly before England men play Australia.

England Women's Ashes squad

Charlotte Edwards (Kent, captain)

Tammy Beaumont (Kent)

Arran Brindle (Sussex)

Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire)

Holly Colvin (Sussex)

Georgia Elwiss (Sussex)

Natasha Farrant (Kent)

Lydia Greenway (Kent)

Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire)

Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire)

Amy Jones (Warwickshire)