Katherine Brunt

Brunt is one of the quickest bowlers in the women's game and is firmly established as the spearhead of England’s attack.

Born in Barnsley, Brunt represented Yorkshire in age-group cricket but stopped playing at 17. She returned two years later in outstanding physical shape and swiftly moved from full Yorkshire to England women recognition.

Her international debut came in August 2004 against New Zealand as a late replacement for injured seamer Clare Taylor.

Having helped England reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2005, Brunt was part of the side that won the Ashes for the first time in 42 years that summer.

She continued to progress and was named as one of two England cricketers of the year for 2006, along with Andrew Flintoff, and was later shortlisted for the women's player of the year award by the ICC.

Andrew Flintoff and Katherine Brunt with their 2006 England cricketer of the year awards

Back trouble interrupted her career and she missed the 2007-08 Ashes when the problem required surgery. It paid off in 2008 when she took the best bowling figures by a man or woman in an ODI at Lord’s, 5-25 against South Africa, as England went unbeaten that summer.

The following year she played an integral role as England won the World Cup and World Twenty20, earning the match award in the final of the latter with a supreme return of 3-6 at Lord’s.

Brunt recorded figures of 5-22 in an ODI against India at Bangalore in February 2010 and three months later was named the ECB women’s cricketer of the year. She was again shortlisted for the ICC women’s player of the year.

Brunt continued her knack for one-day five-fors in the final of the 2011 Quadrangular Series, her 5-18 from 10 overs earning victory over Australia at Wormsley.

She suffered a a back injury during the tour of South Africa and was rested for the trip to New Zealand, but returned to international action in June 2012 and helped England finish runners-up at the World T20 in Sri Lanka.