In a high-stakes showdown at Southampton, England's Women's T20 World Cup campaign roared to life as they edged past Ireland by just four wickets. But it wasn't all champagne celebrations – Nat Sciver-Brunt's injury woes continued to dog her and her team.
The England captain retired on 48, limping off with tightness in her left calf that had already ruled her out for six weeks pre-tournament. She downplayed the severity of her condition, but the writing was on the wall – this was no trivial matter for a side reliant on her big-hitting prowess.
Sciver-Brunt's wife and former England star Katherine offered some reassurance, saying that Nat 'hasn't been crying' and that 'the injury doesn't look that bad'. But England fans will be holding their breath until Saturday's clash with Scotland – every day counts in this high-pressure tournament.
England's victory was a nerve-shredding affair, with Freya Kemp departing for just two runs after being run out in the penultimate over. Earlier, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones, and Alice Capsey had all fallen in quick succession, leaving Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight to steady the ship with a crucial partnership.
Lauren Bell's struggles on the pitch were as stark as Sciver-Brunt's injury concerns. She was hit for four fours by Louise Little in Ireland's final over – not exactly what England's top bowler had in mind when she took the field.