Brunt ruled out of women’s World T20 by back injury

In a devastating blow for England Women’s World T20 hopes, Katherine Brunt will miss the tournament with a back injury after breaking down in the side’s final warm-up fixture.

Bowling off a modified run-up in an attempt to prove her fitness ahead of the competition opener tomorrow against Sri Lanka, Brunt was unable to continue after just five deliveries and was in obvious and serious pain when the team arrived here yesterday.

Scans are expected to confirm that the 33-year-old all-rounder’s troublesome back – operated on twice before during her illustrious 15-year international career before flaring up again during last winter’s Women’s Big Bash League – will scupper her chances of a fourth ICC trophy.

Fran Wilson, the Middlesex batsman, is the front-runner to be called up to the squad.

Head coach Mark Robinson said: “You can’t replace Katherine. We haven’t got a genuine all-rounder who can do that role, so we’re going to have to pick either a bowler or we have to pick a batter.”

Brunt joins wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor on the sidelines. Taylor did not make the trip as she undergoes treatment for anxiety.

“Two of the players that batted in our top five in the summer are out,” Robinson said. “We’ve prepared for that as well. [It is] something we have to take on the chin and back the other players.”