“Australian T20 World Cup Plans in Peril as Key Pacer Faces Uncertain Recovery from Injury”
The Australian camp has suffered a significant setback ahead of their upcoming tour of Bangladesh, as key pacer Darcie Brown has been sidelined due to a stress injury.
Brown will miss Australia’s tour of Bangladesh, which includes three ODIs followed by three T20Is, starting on March 21. The Aussie pacer has been diagnosed with a foot stress injury, and there is currently no definitive timeline for her return.
This development complicates Australia’s preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in Bangladesh in September-October, especially concerning their fast-bowling unit.
Brown played a crucial role as Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker in their last T20 World Cup campaign in 2023, which they won in South Africa. She was also recently recognized as one of the ICC 100% Cricket Superstars.
Originally set to fly out to Dhaka on Saturday, Brown will now remain in Adelaide after scans revealed a stress injury to the navicular bone in her left foot, which is crucial for her bowling action.
No replacement has been named in Australia’s 15-member squad, and Grace Harris, initially selected only for the T20I leg of the tour, will now be available for the entire tour.
With Brown sidelined, there will be added responsibility on Tayla Vlaeminck in the pace-bowling department. Vlaeminck, who has also faced significant setbacks due to serious navicular stress injuries in the past, is returning to the international fold after recovering from a shoulder injury, marking her first appearance since January 2022.
The series kicks off on March 21 with the ODI leg, followed by T20Is, all to be played at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
Australia squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (vc), Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck
