England’s top spinner Sophie Ecclestone has said it’s “not ideal” that captain Nat Sciver‑Brunt will miss the next two T20 World Cup matches. However, she is confident in Charlie Dean’s ability to lead the team during this time.
Sciver‑Brunt started the tournament strongly, scoring 46 not out off 22 balls in the opening match. She also played well against Ireland, making 48 runs from 37 balls in England’s four-wicket victory. Unfortunately, she had to retire during the game due to calf stiffness. Scans confirmed a strain, which will keep her out of upcoming games against Scotland and West Indies.
Despite this setback, Ecclestone believes Dean is ready to step up, having led the team in the lead-up to the tournament.
“It’s not ideal that she’s [Nat Sciver‑Brunt] missing the next two games, but Deano [Charlie Dean] will take charge, and it’s an exciting opportunity for her to captain at the World Cup,” Ecclestone was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “Charlie’s captained recently, so she’s familiar with the role. It’ll be like a duck to water for her.
“It feels strange not to have Nat in a World Cup match, but Charlie has done an amazing job. She brings a sense of calm, and we’ve adjusted to having her lead, so if Nat isn’t fit, it’s just normal for Charlie to step in.”
Currently, England tops the Group 2 points table with four points and a strong net run rate (NRR) of 2.763. They will rely on Dean’s leadership and strategy to help secure a third victory in their next match.