Brunt hints at retirement after November's World T20
In an interview with Wisden Cricket Monthly, Brunt stated that her biggest goal and her "only goal" is to lift the World T20 trophy in November. She said: "What's left is the T20 World Cup in November. That's the biggest goal, the only goal. That would be a good ending, wouldn't it?"
In a wide-ranging interview, Brunt talked about her struggle finding her way in boys' cricket as a junior, how she was "introverted and shy" as a child, and how she was inspired by how fiery England men's legend Darren Gough was. She also named England all-rounder Nat Sciver as her "best friend in the whole world".
"She went to private school, her parents are very well off, she has all that security, and I’m the complete opposite", Brunt said. "My dad was a miner for 25 years, down the pits, six kids, with a stay-at-home mum. And yet we get on so well. It’s mainly because she’s got a lot of patience with me, because I’m a nutter."
Brunt was part of the victorious England side that beat India on home soil to win the World Cup in 2017, and she reflected on that triumph. "A year on from winning the World Cup, I’d say I feel content now." She will be part of a team looking to emulate that success at this year's World T20.
She also speculates about what she may do to fill her time once she retires from playing the game. Whilst she ruled out coaching a team, she seemed enticed by the prospect of nurturing talented players as well trying to forge a career in commentary.
She said: "If I do any coaching after I retire it'll be private, one-to-one. And it would only be someone with the same fire and passion that I had when I was their age. If I can see some of that in them, I'll commit to it wholeheartedly. And I would love that. Other than that, I'd love to try my hand at commentary. I'd love to get my personality across, and be me, be real."
The tournament begins in Guyana on November 9th. The hosts, the Windies, go into the tournament looking to retain the trophy having won it in 2016.