Nat Sciver-Brunt, the in-form and influential leader of England’s cricket team, will miss the important third T20 International against India at the Kia Oval on July 4 due to a left groin injury.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on the eve of the third T20I that Sciver-Brunt, a key all-rounder for the team, sustained the injury during the second match of the series. She left the field amid India’s aggressive run chase, and following scans, she has been advised to rest and undergo further evaluation.
In Sciver-Brunt’s absence, seasoned batter Tammy Beaumont will take over as captain, bringing her extensive experience to guide the team in this high-pressure encounter. Her composed presence and tactical acumen will be crucial as England looks to secure their first win of the series and keep their hopes alive against an in-form Indian side.
Hampshire batter Maia Bouchier, who hasn’t featured for England since last winter’s Ashes whitewash defeat but is currently in good form, has been roped in as cover.
Opener Sophia Dunkley will retain her role as vice-captain in South London, and Beaumont explained the decision during the pre-match briefing. She said, “Sophia is quite a young player and someone we’re investing in to be a leader of the future. But unfortunately, in this situation, it probably needs someone with a bit more experience.”
On getting the role of leading England’s National Team, she commented, “It’s a real honour to be asked to do the job. We need a bit of a fight to come out in this series, and I’m probably someone who likes to get in a battle, so I can understand why (she was made captain).”
After comprehensive defeats in the first two T20Is, England must now win the remaining three matches to prevent head coach Charlotte Edwards from facing her first series loss since taking over as head coach earlier this year.
Stand-in captain Beaumont stated, “I think the worst thing we could do right now is panic. We didn’t want to be 2-0 down, and we didn’t want our captain and best batter to be out of the team, but we are where we are. We’ve got to try and bring some calm to it, some rationale and logic, and we certainly believe we can come back and win this.”
She further added, “We’ll be coming out fighting again. Full credit to India; they’ve challenged and pushed us, but I certainly intend on getting the girls to try and respond to what’s happened so far.”
Speaking after Tuesday’s defeat in Bristol, Sciver-Brunt insisted it was “not the end” for her side in the ongoing T20 series, choosing instead to focus on the positives from the two losses against a world-class Indian team.
Reflecting on the batting display after England’s top order struggled for the second game in a row, Sciver-Brunt noted, “We have full confidence in our players. We select the batters that we feel are in form, and I guess we’ll see how it goes.”
Sciver-Brunt has undergone a scan on her injury, the results of which will determine whether she misses additional games in the series. However, she has been ruled out of the match at the Kia Oval, as England aims to claw their way back into the five-match series they currently trail 2-0.
India will next face hosts England at the Kennington Oval in London on Friday, July 4.
(Quotes Sourced from Sky Sports)
