Brown ruled out of WBBL|12 with back injury

Darcie Brown has been ruled out of Weber WBBL|12, with the Australia and Adelaide Strikers fast bowler still battling to overcome a back injury.

Brown, 23, was diagnosed with a disc injury following her return from the Australia A tour of India, where she played two T20s and a one-dayer, late last month.

It ruled her out of contention for Australia's ODI series against Bangladesh, and with Brown spending three weeks on rest it was hoped she could begin building her loads back up for the back half of the Big Bash season.

However, the South Australian is still struggling with the back complaint, meaning she will not be able to play before the end of WBBL|12 on December 5.

A statement from CA said: "Darcie Brown has been ruled out of the Weber Women's Big Bash League due to an ongoing back injury. Brown was assessed following her return home from India last month, and following a period of de-loading, her injury has not yet recovered to a point where she is ready to resume training. As a result, and she will be unable to return to full fitness in time for the upcoming WBBL season."

The injury is a blow for Brown who had headed to India eager to win back her place in the national side after she was dropped for the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

She played two of the 20-over matches in New Chandigarh, taking 1-31 and 0-27, before a starring display in the second one-dayer in Mohali where she captured 3-39 from eight overs.

Brown would have hoped to put together a strong WBBL campaign to push her case for an international recall in February's T20 Champions Trophy in India.

It is also a blow to the Strikers' pace stocks as they look to return to the WBBL finals, and they will be looking to their young quicks including Eleanor Larosa to step up alongside experienced international pace bowlers Megan Schutt and Tahlia McGrath.

Schutt's recent form in the ODI series against Bangladesh, where she took 10 wickets at an average of seven across three games, is a welcome sign for the Strikers after the veteran struggled with injury last season, playing just five matches and taking one wicket.

Adelaide also confirmed the re-signing of Anesu Mushangwe on Monday, with the leg-spinner back for a fourth season with the club. Her return is a boost for the club's spin stocks following Jemma Barsby's departure for the Sydney Thunder.

Mushangwe made history in 2022 when she became the first Zimbabwean-born player to feature in the WBBL, and one year played was pivotal in helping the Strikers secure their second consecutive title, taking 16 wickets.

The 30-year-old has been playing for the ACT Meteors in the T20 Spring Challenge, where she has taken six wickets in four matches including 3-16 against the Hurricanes.

"I'm really excited to be back with the Strikers for another season," Mushangwe said.

"Adelaide has become a special place for me over the last few years and is still home for me, and I've made some incredible memories with this group, including being part of a championship-winning team."

The Strikers have confirmed 13 of their 15 players for WBBL|12, including their full quota of three internationals.

Contracted for WBBL|12: Maia Bouchier (England)(Contracted until WBBL|12), Darcie Brown (W|13), Emma de Broughe (W|12), Sophie Ecclestone (England)(W|12), Ellie Johnston (W|12), Eleanor Larosa (W|12), Tahlia McGrath (W|12), Anesu Mushangwe (W|12), Bridget Patterson (W|12), Maddie Penna (W|12), Megan Schutt (W|13), Amanda-Jade Wellington (W|12), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)(W|12)

 

In: Maia Bouchier (Stars), Emma de Broughe (Renegades)

 

Out: Tammy Beaumont, Jemma Barsby (Thunder)

 

Uncontracted: Tabatha Saville, Ella Wilson, Maggie Clark (LRP), Emmerson Filsell (LRP)