Mahika ruled out of ODI series against New Zealand due to fractured foot

England's upcoming ODI series against New Zealand is set to begin with a significantly thinned squad following a string of recent setbacks. The team will be without young pace sensation Mahika Gaur, who sustained a foot injury during a training session, and all-rounder Alice Capsey, who has been sidelined by illness. These absences come at a critical time as the squad returns to international competition for the first time in over half a year.

Mahika Gaur to miss New Zealand ODIs due to foot injury

The leadership core has also been impacted, as captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was already confirmed to miss the three-match series due to a calf tear suffered during domestic play last week. This series is a vital component of England's build-up to the home T20 World Cup scheduled for June, making her absence particularly notable. In her stead, vice-captain Charlie Dean has been tasked with leading the side through the tour.

To bolster the roster amidst these injuries and illnesses, the selectors have called up in-form batter Maia Bouchier as cover. As the team navigates this challenging start to their international summer, they will look to their remaining depth to maintain momentum against a competitive New Zealand side.

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Mahika Gaur’s promising international career has hit another roadblock after the 20-year-old left-armer fractured her left foot during a specialized fielding session. The injury occurred just as the England coaching staff was preparing for the full squad to convene in Durham. Consequently, she has been ruled out of the entire ODI series against New Zealand, adding another chapter to what has become a frustratingly interrupted start to her time on the world stage.

This latest setback follows a string of absences that have kept the young pacer off the field. She was unavailable for the 2024 home series against Pakistan while focusing on her A-Level examinations and was subsequently sidelined from T20 matches against New Zealand due to a side strain. That same injury also forced her withdrawal from The Hundred, preventing her from building on the momentum of a highly successful debut season in 2023.

It was her standout 2023 season that originally earned her an England call-up after she had already represented the UAE in 19 T20Is. Her transition to the England setup was immediate; she debuted in T20Is against Sri Lanka before delivering a Player of the Match performance in her first ODI, claiming 3 for 26. Despite that explosive start, injuries and academic commitments have limited her to just two ODI caps to date.

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Gaur’s most recent appearance for the senior national side came in a T20I against Ireland in September 2024. While she was included in the 2025 Ashes tour of Australia as an observer to gain experience in high-pressure environments, her competitive action during that trip was limited to the England A tour. This new foot injury remains a significant blow for a player widely regarded as one of the country's brightest bowling prospects.

Alice Capsey out of 1st ODI vs NZ

Alice Capsey is currently in the final stages of recovering from a recent illness, which has officially ruled her out of the opening match against New Zealand on May 10. Despite this setback, she remains with the squad, and the medical staff expects her to be healthy enough for selection later in the three-match series once the first game is concluded.

To fill the void in the batting order for the series opener, England has called up Warwickshire’s Charis Pavely as cover. Pavely has been in exceptional form during the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, establishing herself as one of the most dangerous batters in the domestic circuit. Through the first six games of the season, she has already amassed two centuries and two half-centuries, making her the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament.

The statistics highlight just how dominant Pavely has been; she has scored 400 runs at a staggering average of 100.00, maintaining an aggressive strike rate of 113.96. She currently sits just four runs behind the competition's leader, Jodi Grewcock, who is also a member of the current England ODI squad. This rich vein of form makes her a formidable addition to the national setup as they navigate their early injury and illness concerns.