Big blow to England: Pacer ruled out of World T20 due to injury

England’s women team has received a big blow ahead of the women’s world T20 as their strike pace bowler Katherine Brunt has been ruled out of the ICC event due to an injury. The right-arm pacer was an essential cog of England’s pace department and her absence would hamper England’s bowling strength.

Katherine Brunt’s back injury aggravated

The 33-year-old was injured in the warm-up game against India and hasn’t recovered yet. In fact, her injury is so severe that she has been ruled out of the entire tournament.

Fran Wilson will replace Katherine Brunt in our ICC Women's World T20 squad.

Get well soon, @KBrunt26

➡️ https://t.co/dReLcnIL4H#WT20 pic.twitter.com/lFIO9wstS3

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 9, 2018

The pacer has aggravated her back injury which she picked up while playing in the Big Bash League in Australia last year. She did recover from that injury but was once again injured for the same reason in September just ahead of the selection for the world T20.

Considering her experience and skills, the selectors still included her in the team with a hope that she would recover in the course of the tournament. But Brunt’s struggles were evident in the warm-up game against India as she failed to complete her only over that too with a shortened run-up.

The latest scans of her back reveal another flare-up of the back injury which means she won’t be able to participate in the remaining tournament.

England’s tough job ahead to fill Brunt’s place

The injury to Brunt has made things difficult for the English team. The 33-year-old’s experience is difficult to replace but it is also a daunting task to replace her skills.

Along with her pace bowling, Brunt also played a vital role in the middle-order with the bat and England might find it tough to find a player to performs both roles.

Confirmed officially by the ECB that Katherine Brunt is returning home due to the recurrence of a back injury. She was in terrible strife yesterday having broken down on Wednesday. Middlesex’s Fran Wilson is flying to St Lucia to join the squad. #WT20

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) November 9, 2018

Fran Wilson named as Brunt’s replacement 

The England team management has roped in Fran Wilson as Brunt’s replacement. She has featured in 14 T20Is and was part of England’s world cup winning 50-over ODI squad.