England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt faces a race against time for the Women's T20 World Cup after being ruled out of six international matches. The 33-year-old suffered a calf tear on April 29 while playing for The Blaze against Warwickshire and requires extended rehabilitation, confirmed by the ECB following a recent scan.

England's preparation begins with three matches against New Zealand starting May 20 in Derby, then Canterbury and Hove. They face India in three more games before the tournament kicks off on June 12 when England hosts Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. England hasn't won the global title since 2009, while New Zealand are the reigning champions from 2024.

The injury absence creates challenges for England's campaign. Danni Wyatt-Hodge will also miss the New Zealand series due to childbirth, forcing the squad to adapt quickly. Maia Bouchier and Charis Pavely have been called up as cover, adding depth to a team needing to overcome significant personnel issues before the World Cup.