England women's cricket captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, is reportedly feeling positive about her calf injury recovery and is targeting a return to action for the T20 World Cup semi-finals. The crucial update comes from her wife, former England fast bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who shared insights into the all-rounder's progress.
Sciver-Brunt, aged 33, has been sidelined for England's last two matches in the tournament following a recurrence of the calf issue that kept her out for six weeks earlier in the summer. While she will not participate in England's final group stage encounter against New Zealand on Saturday, the team's qualification for the semi-finals has allowed for a more cautious rehabilitation approach.
Katherine Sciver-Brunt, speaking to BBC Test Match Special, conveyed her wife's optimism: "She believes she can come into the semi and that she is OK, that is where her head is now and that is great." She added that Nat had undergone another MRI scan, with the results being satisfactory and indicating the injury is progressing in the desired direction.
Confirmation of Sciver-Brunt's positive progress was also issued by England Cricket after their victory against West Indies on Wednesday, noting that she had batted in the nets earlier that day. Her participation against New Zealand was always deemed unlikely, especially given that the match is now a 'dead rubber' for England, who have already secured their place in the knockout stages.
The initial calf tear, described as "minor," occurred during domestic cricket in late April, leading her to miss the early summer series against New Zealand and India. England's medical team stated that while her calf is responding well to treatment, she requires additional rehabilitation time before being considered for selection. The exact date of England's semi-final match, either Tuesday or Thursday, will be confirmed on Sunday evening, depending on the final group standings, particularly India's position.