LONDON: Returning to tennis for the first time since becoming a father, Andy Murray will lead Britain's Davis Cup team when it opens the defense of its title against Japan next week.

Murray and his brother, doubles specialist Jamie, were part of the five-man squad selected Tuesday by captain Leon Smith for the first-round World Group series in Birmingham on March 4-6.

Also named to the squad were Kyle Edmund, Dominic Inglot and Dan Evans.

Andy Murray secured all three points when Britain beat Belgium in last year's final for its first Davis Cup title in 79 years.

Murray has not played since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final last month. His wife, Kim Sears, gave birth to their first child, daughter Sophia, on February 7.