Keightley: Brunt a big loss as England Women enter new era

England head coach Lisa Keightley says Katherine Brunt will be a "big loss" as she plots how to comprise a Test attack without the seamer and her long-time new-ball partner Anya Shrubsole.

Brunt, 36, has announced her retirement from the longest format in order to focus on the white-ball game, while Shrubsole, 30, quit all forms of international cricket in April.

As a result, England's pace unit will have a fresh feel when they play South Africa in Taunton between June 27-30, live on Sky Sports.

Seam bowlers Lauren Bell and Emily Arlott could make their first international appearances, while fellow pacer Freya Davies is in line to play her first Test after 24 limited-overs games for her country.

Keightley said of Brunt and Shrubsole's departures: "It's over 10 years of them two having the ball and doing what they do. They have had ups and downs in form but generally been very consistent.

"You know what you are going to get with them. We don't know what we are going to get from the others but that is exciting and brings new opportunities.

"It's the end of an era and we need to create a new one, see which players are going to stick their hand up and lead the way with the ball. Our hands have been forced, so let's see how it goes."

"Katherine will be a big loss in Test cricket. There are moments in games where she gets the team behind her and moments like that are going to be really hard to replace, as are her passion and fire.

"I don't know if we have another person in the team with her fire, that competitive edge and ruthlessness. We will find out if we have another one in the wings with that same white-line fever.

Brunt, who claimed 51 wickets in 14 Tests, says leaving the red-ball arena was "heart-breaking" but that