England bowling all-rounder Katherine Brunt has been forced to withdraw from the ICC Women’s World T20 after her longstanding back injury flared up.
Brunt, who has 61 wickets from 65 T20Is, will be replaced in England’s squad by Middlesex batter Fran Wilson, who is not expected to arrive in time to come into contention for Saturday’s first game against Sri Lanka.
Brunt left the field after bowling five balls in England’s final warm-up game and scans have now revealed her fate. Her departure will come as a huge blow to England Women as they bid to win back-to-back ICC world titles, having won the Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017.
New Zealand and India launch the tournament at 3pm BST on Friday, November 9.