England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge will be available for the second and third matches of the T20 series against India following the birth of her first child.

Wyatt-Hodge, 35, missed the recent series win over New Zealand, with her partner giving birth last week.

The series begins on Thursday, in Chelmsford, with the second match on Saturday and the third next Tuesday.

Wyatt-Hodge’s addition to the squad is a boost to England’s T20 World Cup preparations given she would otherwise have gone into the tournament, which begins on 12 June, without a competitive international this summer.

England are already without injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who missed the six white-ball matches against New Zealand and will also sit out the series against India because of a calf injury.

In the absence of veteran Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey pressed her case at the top of the order with an unbeaten 74 to lead England to victory in the first T20 against New Zealand. Coach Charlotte Edwards admitted on Monday she does not know her best XI.

Incumbent opener Sophia Dunkley made scores of eight, 26 and 22 against the White Ferns.

Though Wyatt-Hodge has not played an international this summer, she was in good form with two centuries and a 96 in five 50-over matches for Surrey at the start of the season.

Batter Charis Pavely has returned to Warwickshire after Wyatt-Hodge’s recall but batter Maia Bouchier will stay with the squad to play India.

Seamer Lauren Filer has been released to play Durham for Durham against Surrey on Wednesday. She will rejoin the England squad afterwards.

The series provides England’s last competitive matches before the World Cup, though they play official warm-ups against Australia and India on 8 and 10 June.