Fast bowler Katherine Brunt is having to miss England Women's tour of India due to a back injury but is hoping to be fit in time to play a full part in for the national team and Yorkshire this summer.
The 32-year-old from Dodworth suffered the injury during her spell for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash in Australia which saw her take the most wickets in the world's biggest domestic Twenty20 competition.
She has been left out of England's tri-series against hosts India and Australia which starts next week, but is aiming to be back for the home series against South Africa and New Zealand followed by a spell with the Yorkshire Diamonds in the Women's Super League.
Brunt has been haunted by back injuries in the past, suffering two prolapsed discs and almost retiring, but she is confident this one will not be as severe.Her ultimate aim is to win the World Twenty20 in the West Indies in November which could prompt her retirement, at least from some forms of the game.Brunt said: "My back is not bad as before but, if I had carried on playing, it could have been.
"I just need some TLC on my back and I was always likely to miss the trip to India. It's frustrating because I wanted a rest period but I am having to use that to do rehab. Every setback with my back is a warning but I had to struggle through because it flared up two weeks into the Big Bash.
"I love batting in Australia but I couldn't do much this time because of my back, which was very annoying but it meant I focused on my bowling and to finish as the top wicket-taker is a very proud achievement for me. I am hoping to carry on that form against South Africa and New Zealand then take it into the Super League and the World Twenty20. Depending on how quickly my back heals, I will play in all of that or just some of it."
Brunt was in Australia for four months for the drawn Ashes series and the Big Bash in which her side lost in the final. He said: "I was out there from October 5 to February 7 so I am massively happy to be back home. I have a big family in Barnsley with two new nieces and a new nephew so it was hard being away over Christmas and New Year."
Meanwhile, Yorkshire are due to begin their season on April 7 against Leeds Bradford MCCU before their County Championship campaign starts at home to champions Essex on April 13. The Tykes' director of cricket is Barnsley man Martyn Moxon while their spinners Azeem Rafiq and Jack Shutt are also from the town. The South Yorkshire Cricket League is due to start on April 14 followed the next day by the Barnsley Sunday League.
Barnsley Woolley Miners CC get their Yorkshire Premier League South campaign underway on April 21 when Appleby Frodingham arrive at Shaw Lane.The Pontefract League also starts on April 21 as does the Huddersfield League, with the Barnsley and District Junior League set to begin two days later.
