Darcie Brown to miss final T20I against New Zealand due to family emergency

Australia Women (AUS-W) will be playing the final game of the series at the Sky Stadium in Wellington, on Wednesday, March 26. The visitors will be missing some players in the last game, as star pacer Darcie Brown will be flying back home due to a family emergency.

Notably, Brown performed well in the first two T20Is against New Zealand Women (NZ-W), registering figures of 1/22 in the first game and 2/23 in the second. She has taken a total of three wickets in two games, averaging only 15. She has maintained an economy rate of just 5.26, making her the most economical bowler in the series after Annabel Sutherland. Sutherland is currently the highest wicket-taker in the two games so far and was also the Player of the Match in the last game.

Though there has been much discussion about who would replace Darcie Brown, as per ESPN Cricinfo, Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that no replacement will be made for the final game of the T20I series. The Australian Women’s team has already secured the series victory, having won both games against their Tasmanian rivals convincingly.

Also Read: Ashleigh Gardner to miss remainder of New Zealand T20I series due to fractured finger

Playing XI decisions big challenge for final T20I

Darcie Brown is not the only setback for the visitors that could impact Australia Women’s chances of securing a clean sweep, as other players will also be unavailable for the third T20I. Another significant blow was the withdrawal of vice-captain Ashleigh Gardner, who suffered a thumb injury in the first game.

Though she has been replaced by up-and-coming off-spinning all-rounder Charli Knott, the latter is yet to play a game in the series. With Brown’s absence and no replacement named, the management might consider bringing back Megan Schutt, who was rested in the second game of the series.