England hopeful over Brunt for World T20

England remain hopeful that pace bowler Katherine Brunt will be fit for the World T20 after injury forced her out of the current tour of South Africa.

She has been included in England's 15-player squad for the tournament in India which begins on March 15. Brunt flew home from South Africa after suffering a back spasm during the second one-day international in Centurion.

Of the players currently on duty in South Africa, Lauren Winfield is the one not to make the final cut for the World T20. Tash Farrant, the 19-year-old left-arm seamer, who was called into the one-day squad following Brunt's injury, will travel to her first ICC event.

Mark Robinson, the head coach, said: "We are all looking forward to testing ourselves against the very best cricketers from across the world and playing the ICC Women's World Twenty20 in a cricket-mad country.

"It will be a great experience for all of the players selected - both those who have had this opportunity before, and for the likes of Tash Farrant, selected for an ICC global event for the first time.

"Tash really impressed during England women's training camp to Sri Lanka before Christmas last year, and adds a different dimension to the bowling attack as a left-arm seamer."

England have reached the final of the previous two World T20s - losing to Australia both times in 2012 and 2014 - and open their campaign in this year's tournament against Bangladesh on March 17 in Bangalore.