England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is ‘ready to go’ for T20 World Cup – but ‘probably’ won’t bowl, says coach Charlotte Edwards | Cricket news
England coach Charlotte Edwards says captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is “ready to go” for the home T20 World Cup – but he is unlikely to bowl.
All-rounder Sciver-Brunt has not played for his country so far this summer, missing the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand and the three T20Is against India, due to a calf injury picked up playing for The Blaze in the One-Day Cup in April.
However, the 33-year-old is set to return for England’s World Cup opener against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12 as a specialist batsman at No.3.
Edward spoke to him Sky Sports after half-centuries from Alice Capsey and Heather Knight gave England their T20I record home run of 181 and a six-wicket series win over India.
He said of Sciver-Brunt, who has nearly 3,000 T20 runs in 137 matches, including 18 fifties: “It’s really good for us that Nat is back in the team and hitting the ball well.
“He’s fit and ready to go. He probably won’t bowl but his batting is the best thing in the world.
“He wants to hit 3. He has done very well in global franchises there and that is where he wants to be. It is important that he hits where he wants.”
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Highlights from the third and final T20 include half-centuries from Alice Capsey and Heather Knight powering England to a six-wicket, series-clinching win over India.
Dean has ‘grown as a person’ during his captaincy
Fast bowler Charlie Dean has led England in Sciver-Brunt’s absence, skippering the team to a T20I series win over New Zealand after the ODI leg was tied 1-1 and now overseeing a 2-1 win over India.
Edwards added of the 25-year-old, who was not in the ODI squad at the start of Sciver-Brunt’s injury: “I’m very pleased. The way he’s dealt with everything and grown as a person.
“His performances have increased and the confidence he now has can benefit us as a team.
“We’re building more leaders. Dani Gibson has done a great job, Lauren Bell is leading the way in attacking the bowlers. The younger players are really stepping into leadership roles.”
Charlie Dean says he ‘learned a lot about me’ when he was England captain in Sciver-Brunt’s absence.
Dean, speaking in a presentation after the game, said that playing part-time will be key if he needs to captain again in the World Cup.
Dean added: “I feel I’ve learned a lot about myself. It was probably a tough challenge but I really enjoyed it.
“The girls have supported me well and I feel I am in a strong place for myself and my cricket.
“Before this I probably would have panicked [about leading at the World Cup if needed] but if the worst happens it would be a smooth transition. “
Watch all the T20 Women’s World Cup exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW from June 12-July 5. England play Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on the opening night (kick-off 6.30pm).
England’s group matches for the T20 World Cup
At all times in the UK and Ireland; they are all live on Sky Sports
- vs Sri Lanka (Friday June 12) Edgbaston, Birmingham (6.30pm)
- vs Ireland (Tuesday June 16) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton (6.30pm)
- vs Scotland (Saturday June 20) – Headingley, Leeds (6.30pm)
- vs West Indies (Wednesday June 24) – Lord’s, London (6.30pm)
- vs New Zealand (Saturday June 27) – The Kia Oval, London (6.30pm)
