England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of the upcoming series against New Zealand, giving the hosts a fresh injury scare ahead of the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup.
England face Nat Sciver-Brunt injury scare
On Sunday (May 3), the England camp announced that Sciver-Brunt will not take part in the ODI series against New Zealand starting next Sunday (May 10).
"England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of the three-match Metro Bank ODI series against New Zealand as a precautionary measure, due to a minor left calf tear that she picked up while playing for The Blaze against Warwickshire on Wednesday 29th April," read the statement.
In her absence, Charlie Dean, who wasn't part of the original squad, will lead England in the ODIs against New Zealand, while Maia Bouchier has been called up as batting cover.
The statement detailed the timeline of Sciver-Brunt's injury. She had felt discomfort after the match on Wednesday, due to which she did not take part in the training program that the England women's team is undergoing along with the British Army. Scans on Saturday (May 2) revealed a tear, following which she was ruled out of the ODI series.
According to the statement, Sciver-Brunt's availability for the subsequent India series and the T20 World Cup that follows will be determined at a later stage based on her progress.
Earlier last week, England had announced their squads for the ODI series against New Zealand, the T20Is against India and New Zealand, and the T20 World Cup. Sciver-Brunt was slated to lead all the squads, while uncapped teenager Tilly Corteen-Coleman was called up to the T20I sides, her first international assignment.
England squad for 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, and T20Is vs India and NZ
Nat Sciver-Brunt, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Also read: Predicted: England's 2026 Women's T20 World Cup starting XI
Updated England squad for New Zealand ODI series
Charlie Dean (c), Em Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Kira Chathli, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Maia Bouchier.
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