England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt ruled out of ODI series vs New Zealand

England Women captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand Women after sustaining a calf injury. This comes as a major scare for the hosts, as the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is just over a month away.

The star all-rounder picked up the injury whilst representing The Blaze against Warwickshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup on Wednesday, April 29. She did, however, contribute 47 runs and took two wickets for her domestic Tier 1 side. 

The decision to pull her out of the ODI squad is just a precaution ahead of the major tournament. Sciver-Brunt had scans on her injured calf on Saturday, May 2, which provided the extent of the injury. She has been advised to take some time out of the game, with further assessments to take place in the next few days. These assessments will determine Sciver-Brunt’s participation in the subsequent T20I series against the White Ferns and India ahead of the T20 World Cup. She does, however, have got a plethora of time to return to full fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup on home soil. England begin their campaign on June 12 against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

There have been a few changes in the team following Sciver-Brunt’s injury. Vice captain Charlie Dean will lead England against New Zealand in the 50-over series. As a replacement, the selectors have opted to bring in Hampshire batter Maia Bouchier. The 27-year-old has played 18 ODIs for her nation, scoring 482 runs at an average of 37.07 whilst striking at a rate of 106.87.

Sciver-Brunt is arguably one of England’s best ODI players. The 33-year-old has played 129 matches in the format, scoring 4,354 and taking 88 wickets. 

England commence their home summer with a white-ball series against New Zealand, before taking on India in a three-match T20I series as a precursor to the T20 World Cup.