England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of her side’s next two T20 World Cup games in a major injury worry for the hosts.
Sciver-Brunt retired hurt on 48 with victory in sight against Ireland on Tuesday night after suffering a calf strain, and has subsequently undergone a scan.
The 33-year-old has now been ruled out of the group games against Scotland and the West Indies, though will remain with the squad with a view to featuring against New Zealand in their final group game, and in the semi-finals and final should England progress.
Charlie Dean, who deputised for Sciver-Brunt in the series against New Zealand and India that preceded the tournament, will lead the team in her absence.
While Dean impressed as a captain in those encounters, Sciver-Brunt’s injury leaves a major hole in England’s batting order having underlined her class with an unbeaten 46 in the win over Sri Lanka and well-measured 48 at the Utilita Bowl before injury struck.
Sophia Dunkley is likely to come in to Charlotte Edwards’ XI, though there may be a top-order reshuffle required to compensate for Sciver-Brunt’s unavailability at No 3.
England face Scotland at Headingley on Saturday before taking on the West Indies at Lord’s next Wednesday.
