Nat Sciver-Brunt is fit to play in England’s T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa at The Oval on Thursday, after recovering from a calf muscle injury.
Sciver-Brunt has missed three matches in England’s undefeated campaign after retiring hurt during their second game, against Ireland in Southampton. That was a recurrence of an injury she suffered while playing domestic cricket in late April, which kept her out of England’s entire competitive lead-up comprising series against New Zealand and India.
She had played both warm-up games, scoring 3 against Australia and 57 against India before scores of 46 not out and 48 against Sri Lanka and Ireland respectively at the World Cup.
“We literally threw everything at it,” Sciver-Brunt told her pre-match press conference at The Oval on Wednesday. “I’m really happy with where I am at physically. Myself and the medical team are really happy with where we’re at. Physically I’m able to take part in all of the game, so from that point of view I’m really happy.”
Sciver-Brunt chose not to reveal until the toss tomorrow who will make way for her. Sophia Dunkley came in at No. 3 in her absence, having previously been overlooked at the tournament following a lacklustre summer up to that point. Dunkley has made scores of 57, 14 and 49 not out while back in the starting XI. Alice Capsey has scored 73 runs across three games at No. 4.
Sciver-Brunt acknowledged that someone would be disappointed to make way and paid tribute to England’s top-order for performing so well without her.
She was initially expected to miss two games at the tournament when the injury recurred, but then missed England’s last group stage match against New Zealand as well. Charlie Dean stepped in as captain in her absence to maintain England’s 100% group-stage record.
“Walking off not really knowing what’s happened, knowing something has happened, getting the scan results back, we had this game in mind,” Sciver-Brunt said. “The New Zealand game came too soon. This game was the target, so everything’s gone according to plan.”
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