Sciver-Brunt out of England's next two World Cup matches

England beat Ireland but Sciver-Brunt in injury scare

>Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of at least England's next two matches at the T20 World Cup by a left calf injury suffered on Tuesday.

>Sciver-Brunt, 33, retired hurt on 48 not out during England's four-wicket victory over Ireland in Southampton.

>Scans on Wednesday have revealed a strain in the all-rounder's left calf - the same muscle she injured earlier this summer.

>She will miss Saturday's match against Scotland and Wednesday's meeting with West Indies but England have not ruled her out of the tournament at this stage.

>England say their captain will continue to be assessed over the coming weeks.

>Sciver-Brunt's calf first became an issue when she suffered a "minor" tear playing a domestic match on 29 April. She would later be ruled out of white-ball series against New Zealand and India.

>Playing solely as a batter, she returned for the official warm-up matches against Australia and India, making a fifty in the second match, before hitting 46 not out in the World Cup opener against Sri Lanka.

>She was again fluent in taking her side to the brink of victory on Tuesday.

>If Sciver-Brunt does not play again in the tournament, it would be a major blow to their hopes of winning a first World Cup in nine years.

>She remains their best batter and is one of three survivors from their famous win at home in the 50-over World Cup in 2017.

>But, with two wins from two, England are already well-placed at the top of Group 2, which will help them cope with their captain and best batter's absence.

>They will likely only have to win two of their remaining three matches to reach the semi-finals.

>The first semi-final is on 30 June and the second on 2 July.

>All-rounder Charlie Dean will deputise against Scotland and West Indies in Sciver-Brunt's absence.

>She had not captained her country before this summer but led England to T20 series victories over New Zealand and India when Sciver-Brunt was injured.

>Batter Sophia Dunkley, who lost her place when Sciver-Brunt regained fitness, is most likely to take the place in England's XI.

>She has a top score of 26 in six internationals this summer.

>Sciver-Brunt plays down injury as England beat Ireland