I need to be an assassin rather than a warrior, says veteran Brunt

England’s all-time leading wickettaker, Katherine Brunt, has vowed to keep the passion and aggression that has fuelled her 15-year international career, despite efforts to temper her emotions on the pitch.

The veteran seamer is set to be named in England’s Ashes squad ahead of the multi-format series against Australia, which starts on Tuesday, Brunt’s 34th birthday, with the first of three one-day internationals. “I’ve been pulled up on it a few times,” explained Brunt, whose determination and character stood out the last time Australia were in England in 2015, when the hosts relinquished the trophy.

“It’s not good for me to see red and then go past that because there is no coming back. It’s not a good place to be in; I can’t concentrate for myself and I can’t be calm for the rest of my team-mates. And the opposition see that, too. It is just a mixture of hell really. A little passage of play can really change the whole day. So, if I am lost in that, it’s not good. I have had to work really hard over the last couple of years on my emotional control.”

Brunt, who took a record fifth five-wicket haul in England’s last ODI against India over the winter, is adamant that this will not cause that character to disappear altogether. “I definitely cannot lose it, or tone it down too much,” she insists. “So, it’s about using it but channelling it in the right way. I need to be more of an assassin, and less of a warrior.”

Brunt reports that there is an “overwhelming sense of wanting to win” in the England camp and, while refusing to be drawn on the favourites, reveals the result could have a bearing on her future.

“My body is ready to retire,” says Brunt, who has been capped 198 times by England across all formats. “ODIS and Tests are very gruelling on the body and there are only so many more left in the tank. At the minute, I can’t possibly say if it will be [my last Ashes], but if it ends really well, and I feel good about it, it could certainly be my last, yes.

“There is nothing worse than stopping doing something when you are feeling incomplete. Literally nothing worse. The Katherine I know, and I think the one most people know, would not walk away without a fight and if we lost this one, then there is still a fight on our hands.”