England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will miss the next two games due to a calf strain. This injury occurred while she was batting against Ireland, where she retired at 48 during England’s four-wicket win in Southampton. This is the same calf muscle she injured earlier this summer while playing county Cricket.
Sciver-Brunt had just returned to play in warm-up matches against Australia and India as a specialist batter. However, the recurrence of the injury means England needs to manage her recovery carefully. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced that she will not participate in the upcoming matches against Scotland and West Indies.
“Nat will continue to be monitored by the England medical team during her rehab while staying in the squad,” the statement said, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
England remains optimistic that Sciver-Brunt could return for their final group-stage match against New Zealand on June 27, despite being sidelined for the next two games. In her absence, Charlie Dean, who has previously led the team in recent series wins over New Zealand and India, will step in as captain.
Sciver-Brunt’s absence is significant, especially since she has scored 94 runs without being out in the tournament. Sophia Dunkley, the reserve batter, is likely to take her place in the match against Scotland on June 20.
Former captain Heather Knight believes the team can adapt without Sciver-Brunt’s presence. She highlighted England’s strong track record under Dean’s leadership in recent months. England will face Scotland Women on Saturday, June 20, at Headingley, Leeds.
“We’ve done well without Nat. I think Deano has stepped up brilliantly,” said Knight.