England rest captain Sciver-Brunt for New Zealand, India T20Is

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt ruled out of T20I series vs New Zealand and India ahead of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. Reason: Left calf tear sustained April 29 playing for The Blaze vs Warwickshire.ECB statement: Scan on Monday confirmed "longer period of rehabilitation is needed" to play full part in T20 World Cup. Sciver-Brunt suffered what was described by the ECB as a "minor left calf tear" while playing for The Blaze last month and subsequently sat out the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. It has now been confirmed following scans that she will need a longer period of rehabilitation, and will play no part in the six T20Is that form the bulk of England's preparation for a home World Cup. Danni Wyatt-Hodge will also miss the New Zealand T20Is, the first of which takes place at Derby on Wednesday, as she awaits the arrival of her first child. England have called Maia Bouchier and Charis Pavely into their squad as cover. Charlie Dean will again deputise as captain, as she did during the ODIs. New Zealand T20Is: 3 matches starting May 20 in Derby, then May 23 Canterbury, May 25 Hove. India T20Is: 3 matches to follow before World Cup. Total: 6 T20Is missed. She already missed the recent ODI series vs New Zealand. T20 World Cup 2026: Starts June 12, England vs Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. ECB and teammates are hopeful: Sophia Dunkley said "we're absolutely confident that she'll be leading us out for that". Charlie Dean will continue as stand-in captain after leading in the NZ ODIs, which ended 1-1. Maia Bouchier and Charis Pavely called up as cover for NZ T20Is. Danni Wyatt-Hodge also misses NZ series with birth of her first child imminent. Since WPL in January, Sciver-Brunt has played only 2 matches. Bouchier had been called into the ODI squad as cover for Sciver-Brunt also and she top-scored for England with 59 in the first game, which England won in Durham. She was named in the XI for the washed-out second match in Northampton before making way for Jodi Grewcock in the rain-hit third in Cardiff, which New Zealand won on the DLS method to level the series 1-1. Sciver-Brunt, 33, is England’s leading batter and key medium-pacer. England "significantly weaker side without" her. She also missed bowling during England’s 2025 home series to be fit for 50-over World Cup. Bottom line: England’s captain and star all-rounder faces a race to be fit for their home T20 World Cup. Calf injury rules her out of all 6 T20Is vs NZ and India, leaving Charlie Dean to lead and England short on match practice for their skipper. "She's grown so much throughout her time in the England team to becoming a really great leader, connecting really well with the group and tactically really good as well," Dunkley said. "Again, a great opportunity for her to get some games under her belt as captain and when Nat comes back, be that great supporting role for her."