England women’s fast bowler Mahika Gaur will miss the ODI series against New Zealand due to a foot injury, while all-rounder Alice Capsey is out for the first ODI on Sunday, May 10, due to illness. Gaur hurt her left foot during a training session in Durham as she prepared for the series.
Her last appearance for England was in a T20I match against Ireland in September 2024. She also traveled to Australia with the England team for the 2025 Ashes tour and later played for England A on that tour.
Capsey is recovering from her illness and will not play in the opening match, but she is expected to be available for selection after that.
Nat Sciver-Brunt suffers calf tear
In addition, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of the series due to a minor left calf tear. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decided to rest her as a precaution ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, which starts on June 12 in England and Wales.
Her fitness will be evaluated before the T20I series against New Zealand starting May 20. Sciver-Brunt sustained the injury while playing for The Blaze in the ECB Women’s One Day Cup against Warwickshire.
She scored 47 off 32 balls and took 2 for 45 from seven overs to help her team win by three wickets. However, she felt discomfort after the match, and scans confirmed the injury, leading to the recommendation for rest.
Charis Pavely called up for 1st ODI
In her absence, vice-captain Charlie Dean will lead the team in ODIs against New Zealand, and in-form batter Maia Bouchier has been called up as cover. Charis Pavely from Warwickshire has also been selected as batting cover for the first ODI.
Pavely has excelled in the ECB Women’s One Day Cup, scoring 400 runs at an average of 100.00 and a strike rate of 113.96, including two centuries and two fifties.