Rowe anguish fires World Cup push

England Women endured the anguish of a defeat in the final of the Women's World T20 to Australia but for Susie Rowe, her frustration was multiplied by having to watch the tournament from her home in Kent.

Rowe, a lower-order batsman, had been a feature of the England T20 side that won 29 out of 32 completed matches since her debut against Sri Lanka in November 2010. She made 20 appearances before breaking a thumb in the second of a five-match T20 series against West Indies, which England won 4-1. The injury at Old Trafford ruled her out of the Women's World T20.

"I've never felt anything quite like it really," she told BBC Radio Kent. "The moment I had that X-ray and put into terms what that actually meant, missing the World T20, there's no way I can describe that feeling."

England fared well in Rowe's absence, comfortably winning four matches en route to the final. But they failed to regain the title they won in 2009, losing to Australia by four runs.

"It was very painful to not be there," Rowe said, having been forced to become an armchair supporter. "Seeing them on TV when I wasn't there was a bit strange to get my head around. I think my niece heard a few swear words. I was getting quite into it."

Rowe will now turn her attentions to the longer format of the game, targeting a place in the squad for the Women's World Cup in India in February next year. She has something to prove having only made one ODI appearance. "My forte is more Twenty20," she conceded. "The 50-over format has no guarantees for me. I'll be looking to get into that final 15 for the World Cup. I need to work hard and put in good performances in training."

England will travel to India as defending champions, having won the 2009 World Cup with a four-wicket win over Australia. Rowe is keen to quickly regain her fitness and begin pressing a claim for more caps in the 50-over side. "To be honest, they know generally who they want to take," Rowe said. "I'm going to do everything that I can to try and put my case forward."

She began by entering the Great South Run. "I'm literally twiddling my thumbs at the moment for rehab. I hope to be training properly in a couple of weeks once I get my thumb fully strong and mobile. I've started batting already but I feel like a village cricketer at the moment."