England head coach Charlotte Edwards says captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is “ready to go” for the home T20 World Cup – but unlikely to bowl.
All-rounder Sciver-Brunt has not featured for her country so far this summer, missing ODI and T20I series against New Zealand and also three T20s versus India, with a calf injury she sustained playing for The Blaze in the One-Day Cup in April.
However, the 33-year-old is now set to return for England’s World Cup opener versus Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12 as a specialist batter in the No 3 spot.
Sciver-Brunt will bat at No 3 during the T20 World Cup
Edwards spoke to Sky Sports after half-centuries from Alice Capsey and Heather Knight powered England to their record T20I run chase on home soil of 181 and a six-wicket, series-sealing victory over India.
She said of Sciver-Brunt, who has almost 3,000 T20 international runs in 137 matches, including 18 fifties: “It is obviously really good for us that Nat is coming back into the team and hitting the ball well.
“She is fine and ready to go. She probably won’t bowl but her batting is something that she is best in the world at.
“She wants to bat No 3. She has done very well in global franchises there and that’s where she wants to be. It’s important she bats where she wants.”
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Highlights from the third and final T20 as superb half-centuries from Alice Capsey and Heather Knight powered England to a six-wicket, series-sealing win over India
Dean has ‘grown as a person’ during captaincy stint
Off-spinning all-rounder Charlie Dean had led England in Sciver-Brunt’s absence, skippering the team to a T20I series win over New Zealand after the ODI leg was drawn 1-1 and now presiding over a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over India.
Edwards added of the 25-year-old, who was not initially in the ODI squad prior to Sciver-Brunt’s injury: “I have been so impressed. How she has dealt with it all and grown as a person.
“Her performances have gone up as well and the confidence she has got now can only benefit us as a group.
“We are creating more and more leaders. Dani Gibson has done a great job, Lauren Bell is leading the bowling attack. Young players are really stepping up into leadership roles.”
Charlie Dean says she has ‘learnt a huge deal about’ myself during her stint captaining England in Sciver-Brunt’s absence
Dean, speaking at the post-match presentation, said the temporary stint in charge will be key should she need to captain again at the World Cup.
Dean added: “I feel I have learnt a huge deal about myself. It was probably a bit of a daunting challenge but I have really enjoyed it.
“The girls have supported me really well and I feel in a stronger place within myself and my cricket.
“Previous to this I would probably have been a bit nervous [about leading at the World Cup if needed] but should the worst happen it would be a smoother transition.”
Watch every ball of the Women’s T20 World Cup exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW from June 12-July 5. England play Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on opening night (6.30pm start).
England’s T20 World Cup group fixtures
All times UK and Ireland; 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)
