Issy Wong has declared herself fully fit for England’s T20 World Cup campaign, allaying any concerns over her recent injury scare.
Having fought off stiff competition to win a place in Charlotte Edwards’ squad for next month’s home tournament, Wong was set to feature in last week’s ODI opener against New Zealand only to pull out with a tight hamstring.
She was sent for scans and follow-ups, eventually sitting out all three matches, but the Warwickshire seamer has got the green light to return and is cleared for the first of three T20s against the White Ferns on Wednesday.
“Two scans sounds a lot worse than it was but there was nothing on the second one, so I’m good to go,” she said.
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Watch highlights from the first innings of the third ODI between England and New Zealand.
“Just because you’re having a scan it doesn’t mean your leg’s hanging off, a lot of the time it’s about getting a good idea of what’s going on so they can manage us through it. I felt something in the top of my hamstring and I was quite keen to play on but the physios decided to take it easy.
“We made the right decision because it ended up being something very minor, but if I’d played on to try and get through that ODI it might have been different.”
Wong has not featured for her country since last July and her eagerness to make the most of the opportunity almost saw her brush aside concerns and taking the field in Durham. But, having missed the cut for the last three major tournaments, she was eventually persuaded to take a more cautious route.
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England lose the wickets of Freya Kemp, Alice Capsey and Dani Gibson in quick succession during their third ODI with New Zealand in Cardiff.
“I wasn’t that worried, I was 50:50 about whether I’d even talk to them about it or whether I should just keep my head down and not mention it,” she said.
“But I thought, I’ve done the hard work and got got myself picked for a World Cup- I should probably tell them. It got a bit cold in Durham and as I was sat there it didn’t feel that good but the medical guys were really good and sorted all my scans.
“I feel like I’ve worked really hard and I was buzzing to get the call for this World Cup, so it was in the back of my mind: don’t risk it. It’s a massive summer and everyone is so excited.”
Sciver-Brunt’s return ‘hopefully soon’
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Watch highlights from the first ODI between England and New Zealand.
England have also been managing injury issues with captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (calf) and Sophie Ecclestone (quad), but have no lingering concerns over the pair.
Indeed, Sciver-Brunt is working on her timelines to return to the side which is “hopefully soon”.
She also commended stand-in skipper Charlie Dean for how she has led the side in her absence.
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Tilly Corteen-Coleman claims her debut wicket for England!
“It has been frustrating to be left on the sidelines but hopefully soon I can get back out there,” Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports.
“I am having another meeting with the team to finalise (the timeline of return). Hopefully soon.
“We have got a great leadership group that are in constant communication on and off the pitch. I have left it in good hands and I wanted Charlie (Dean) to do things in her own way.
“She didn’t have to be anyone, just be herself, and I think she did that really well.
“We have got eight T20 matches to go until that first one in Birmingham so we have plenty of time to learn and grow as a team but I am excited for the T20 series to kick-off.”
T20 World Cup the focus for England and New Zealand
Following the conclusion of the ODI series England and New Zealand now meet in three T20 internationals, starting in Derby on May 20 ahead of further games at Canterbury (May 23) and Hove (May 25).
England will also play three T20 internationals versus India before beginning their home T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday June 12.
The hosts will hope to have regular skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt back well before then, with the all-rounder currently sitting out the New Zealand ODIs with a minor calf issue.
England have not won the T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition on home soil in 2009 and were knocked out in the group stage at the last edition, in the UAE in 2024.
New Zealand are the reigning Women’s T20 World Cup champions, claiming a first title two years ago with a 32-run victory over South Africa in the Dubai final.
England vs New Zealand series results/fixtures
First ODI (Durham) – England won by one wicketSecond ODI (Northampton) – AbandonedThird ODI (Cardiff) – New Zealand won by 17 runs (DLS)First T20 (Wednesday May 20) – The Central Co-op County Ground, Derby (6.30pm)Second T20 (Saturday May 23) – The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury (2.30pm)Third T20 (Monday May 25) – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove (2.30pm)
Watch England’s first T20 international against New Zealand, in Derby, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 6pm on Wednesday (6.30pm first ball). Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with NOW.
