England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of her side's T20I series against New Zealand and India ahead of next month's T20 World Cup.
The all-rounder sustained a left calf tear while playing for The Blaze last month in a match against Warwickshire. She was initially ruled-out of England's ODI series against New Zealand, with Charlie Dean standing in as captain, but after further scans the ECB have now confirmed that Sciver-Brunt will also miss both of their following T20I series.
The injury to their captain and prized all-rounder will be a significant concern to England ahead of the home T20 World Cup, which begins in less than a month's time. Sciver-Brunt spent time out injured last summer as well, and didn't bowl at all during England's home series in 2025, in order to be fully fit for the 50-over World Cup.
Senior batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge will also miss the T20I series against New Zealand, which gets underway tomorrow (May 21), with the arrival of her first child imminent. Maia Bouchier, who was called-up as batting cover to England's ODI squad, has now also been called-up to both T20I squads, as has Warwickshire all-rounder Charis Pavely.
England injury crisis worsens as World Cup draws near
The escalation in Sciver-Brunt's injury status adds another worry to England's growing list of injured players. Fast-bowler Issy Wong was ruled out of the ODI series against New Zealand after picking up a hamstring injury while warming up for the first match of the summer, while Mahika Gaur and Em Arlott were also ruled-out of the 50-over series with a fractured foot and concussion respectively.
Alice Capsey missed the first ODI in Durham through illness, although she was able to play in the final match of the series on Sunday.
After three T20Is against New Zealand and three against India, England will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12. If Sciver-Brunt is fit for the tournament opener, it will be the first T20 game she's played since the end of the WPL group stage in January.
Having led England to a series draw in the ODIs against New Zealand, Charlie Dean will once again step-in as captain for Sciver-Brunt in the T20I format. She will lead England in a T20I for the first time in the first match in the series against the WhiteFerns tomorrow (May 20).
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