Australia have suffered a minor setback with in-form pacer Darcie Brown set to miss the final match of their T20I series against New Zealand due to family reasons.
Brown, who played a crucial role in Australia’s victory in the second match of the series at Mount Maunganui by claiming two wickets, has flown home ahead of the third and final game scheduled to be played in Wellington on Wednesday. The visitors have already sealed the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Her absence could pave the way for experienced pacer Megan Schutt to return to the playing XI, having been rested during the second T20I. Additionally, all-rounder Charli Knott, who was drafted into the squad ahead of the second game following Ashleigh Gardner’s injury, could be in contention for her international debut.
Knott’s inclusion came after Gardner was ruled out of the series with a finger injury, further testing Australia’s squad depth. Meanwhile, Brown has been one of the standout performers for the Aussies, having taken three wickets across the first two matches, with Annabel Sutherland leading the wicket-taking charts in the series.
Australia’s squad for the T20I series includes Tahlia McGrath (captain), Ashleigh Gardner (vice-captain), Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Charli Knott, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, and Georgia Wareham.
