Hosts England have received a massive boost ahead of their crucial Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa, with captain Nat Sciver-Brunt officially declared fit to play. The 33-year-old star all-rounder missed England’s last three group-stage victories over Scotland, the West Indies, and New Zealand after suffering a recurrence of a left calf muscle strain during their match against Ireland. In her pre-match press conference at The Oval, Sciver-Brunt confirmed that she and the medical team “literally threw everything” at her recovery, including intensive magnetic resonance therapy, ensuring she is now physically ready to take part in all aspects of the high-stakes knockout match.
While vice-captain Charlie Dean successfully steered the side to maintain an unbeaten five-match winning streak in her absence, Sciver-Brunt’s return creates a welcome selection headache for head coach Charlotte Edwards. Sophia Dunkley has been in stellar form at number three, hitting vital winning knocks including an unbeaten 49 against New Zealand, meaning an in-form player faces a heartbreaking omission from the starting XI. The winner of Thursday’s blockbuster clash at The Oval will book their place in Sunday’s final at Lord’s against six-time champions Australia, as England hunts for their first global silverware since 2017.
