- Nat Sciver-Brunt requires ‘a longer period of rehabilition’
- She has already missed the ODI series against New Zealand
- Will also miss the T20i series with NZ and India
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is serious doubt for the Women’s T20 World Cup, which starts on 12th June when England take on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in the opening game.
She has already missed the ODI series with New Zealand, and will miss the three T20Is against New Zealand, starting tonight, and the three T20Is against India beginning on 28th May.
What’s the injury?
Sciver-Brunt suffered a ‘minor tear’ in her left calf, whilst playing for the Blaze against Warwickshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at the end of April. A further scan on Monday revealed that she needs a ‘further period of rehabilitation’.
However, England are not concerned about Sciver-Brunt’s availability for the World cup, despite the start being just over three weeks away. They just feel that the 33-year-old skipper needs more time to recover from the injury.
Batter Sophia Dunkley said:
“Nat just needs a little bit more time to be in the best place she can be for the World Cup. We’re really confident she’ll be leading us out there and the flip side is it’s a great opportunity for some of the girls to step up and get some game time.
“Everybody has to be ready to play if needed, anything can happen in a World Cup. We look forward to having Nat back with us when she’s ready which looks to be really soon.”
Dean to captain in Sciver-Brunt’s absence
Vice Captain Charlie Dean will become the 11th woman to captain England in a T20 international when she leads the side against the White Ferns tonight. The 25-year-old took control of the side in the drawn ODI series with New Zealand, before which Dean said that she expected Sciver-Brunt to be back for the T20’s.
Asked if she was ready to lead the side in the World Cup, if required, Dean said:
“Captaining in the ODIs feel like brilliant timing, to get that little bit of experience before the World Cup arrives. All being well, Nat will be perfectly fine. I have no doubts should anything arise, I feel like these games will grow my confidence even more to do the job at hand.”
The ECB have also confirmed that Danni Wyatt-Hodge will also miss the T20I series with the birth of her first child imminent. Maia Bouchier and Charis Pavely have been called up for the series against New Zealand as replacements.
England’s Women’s T20I squad v New Zealand – Charlie Dean (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Maia Bouchier, Charis Pavely.
Stay up to date with all the latest international cricket content with Read Cricket and follow us on instagram.
