England women dealt further blow

England have been dealt a serious blow for their series against New Zealand in August. Katherine Brunt, the strike bowler, will undergo surgery on one of her back on Friday June 1 in the hope of avoiding more extensive surgery.

She will then go through a 12-week recovery period following the procedure. After six weeks there will be a review, but it is unlikely that she will be fit for the international series which starts mid-August.

England are hopeful, at least, that their captain Charlotte Edwards will have recovered from a knee operation in time for the series. But the news is the latest setback for an England side still recovering from their vice-captain Laura Newton's retirement and retirement of their coach Richard Bates.

Successors for both have yet to be found, although interviews for the coach role will take place on May 31, and it is expected that the new vice-captain will be chosen once the coach is in place.

The news is somewhat unfortunate timing in another aspect: Brunt has just starred in England's poster campaign for the tour. She was also in fine form having been shortlisted as the ICC's Female Player of the Year, as well as being tipped for further success by Cathryn Fitzpatrick.