Cricketer Katherine Brunt is hoping to help England become double reigning world champions by winning the World Twenty20 which begins today in Australia.

The fast bowler from Dodworth, who will turn 35 in the summer, was part of the team that won the 50-over World Cup at Lord’s in 2017, eight years after lifting the trophy in both formats in 2009. She has claimed 81 wickets in 78 Twenty20 matches, the third most by an England player, while she has taken 272 wickets in 213 games in all formats.

Brunt told the Chronicle: “The final could be in front of 90,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground which would be an amazing game to play in.  Apparently Katy Perry is going to perform the opening and closing ceremonies so it will be a big event.  That has to be our aim. 

“The exposure here has been massive, there are posters and TV coverage everywhere. I believe we will get to the semi-finals then it’s anyone’s game. It will be very very difficult to win it but we know we are a good team.” 

After a series against India and Australia at the start of the month, England have played two warm-up games this week. Brunt took three wickets and batted at number three in victory over New Zealand on Sunday then England lost by ten wickets against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. 

Brunt said: “It feels like we have been here for ages already.  We are definitely well-prepared, even though the result against Sri Lanka wasn’t a good one.”

England are due to play their first match of the tournament against South Africa on Sunday then Thailand on Wednesday before completing their group matches against Pakistan and the West Indies. The semi-finals are on March 5 and the final is on March 8. Brunt has batted high up the order in some of the warm-up games while she has taken regular wickets. 

“I will play as a pinch-hitter when we lose a wicket in the powerplay, which is a tough role but it can be effective. It won’t be easy to bowl in these conditions to short boundaries but, if I can go for eight runs or less per over and take some wickets, I will be happy.  I have been feeling better in every game I have played so I am going into the tournament in a good way.”