Sciver-Brunt on course for batting role at World Cup after calf injury
Sciver-Brunt on Course for Batting Role at World Cup
Nat Sciver-Brunt is on track to play as a batter in warm-up games against Australia on June 8 and India on June 10, before the start of the World Cup, after recovering from a calf injury.
Injury Update
A calf injury suffered while playing in the domestic One-Day Cup on April 29 ruled Sciver-Brunt out of England’s competitive build-up to the tournament, which the hosts will open on June 12 against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston.
However, as revealed by head coach Charlotte Edwards following England’s series-clinching victory over India in the third T20I at Taunton, Sciver-Brunt is expected to play in a batting role for the start of the World Cup.
Personal Goals
Sciver-Brunt told ESPNcricinfo that there’s no pressure to be an all-rounder at this stage, but from a personal point of view, she’d like to be available to bowl a bit later on in the tournament.
‘There’s two warm-up games into the first match, which is three games over five days, so it’d be stupid of me to try and do everything all at once,’ she said.
Team Performance
In Sciver-Brunt’s absence, the team has been performing well, securing 2-1 T20I series wins against defending champions New Zealand and leading contenders India.
Lauren Bell has led the seam-bowling to great effect, particularly taking wickets in the powerplay, which became a focus after last year’s 50-over World Cup.
Return of All-Rounders
The successful return of allrounders Dani Gibson and Freya Kemp from back injuries helps bolster England’s seam options, even if just for a handful of overs between them.
Confidence Boost
Sciver-Brunt’s readiness will come as a relief to England, and the fact that her team were able to secure wins without her was also encouraging.
Alice Capsey has made half-centuries as a stand-in opener against New Zealand, as well as a match-winning No. 4 in the last match with India, to stake her claim in the starting line-up.
World Cup Ambitions
Sciver-Brunt has had plenty of time to think about what it would mean for the team to lift the World Cup trophy in the final at Lord’s on July 5.
‘What would it mean? That all of the hard work and everything that we’ve done in preparation was worth it, that we are the confident and successful team that we are,’ she said.
For Sciver-Brunt, lifting the trophy would be validation that England is a brilliant cricket team, and it would mean a hell of a lot to her and the team.
