Nat Sciver-Brunt Finds Form Ahead of T20 World Cup
Nat Sciver-Brunt has been recovering from a calf injury sustained in April.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Warm-up, Cardiff
England 171-6 (20 overs): Sciver-Brunt 57 (45); Patil 2-29
India 166 (19.5 overs): Ghosh 68 (36); Smith 3-42
Nat Sciver-Brunt scored 57 runs as England secured a thrilling five-run victory over India in their final preparation match for the T20 World Cup.
Chasing a target of 172 in Cardiff, India found themselves struggling at 87-5. With 38 runs needed off the last two overs, Richa Ghosh delivered an impressive performance, hitting 21 runs off Issy Wong's penultimate over, followed by a six and a four off Linsey Smith, reducing the target to six runs from three balls.
However, Smith prevailed by having Ghosh stumped for a remarkable 68 from 36 balls and then dismissing Renuka Singh Thakur, securing a confidence-boosting win for England ahead of their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on Friday.
Sciver-Brunt spent valuable time at the crease, complementing Amy Jones' fluent 64 at the top of the order and a late cameo of 30 runs from 12 balls by all-rounder Dani Gibson, helping England post a competitive total of 171-6.
The England captain had scored just three runs in the previous warm-up match against Australia, which England lost by five wickets, but her performance in this match has alleviated some concerns about her limited game time prior to the tournament.
Monday's match against Australia marked Sciver-Brunt's first international appearance this summer as she has been managing a calf injury.
After Danni Wyatt-Hodge was dismissed early for three runs, the newly promoted Jones and Sciver-Brunt added 70 runs for the second wicket before India regained some control in the middle overs with three quick wickets.
Jones was bowled by Shafali Verma, and then Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp were dismissed cheaply by spin bowling. However, power-hitter Gibson's form at the death was a positive sign for head coach Charlotte Edwards' strategy.
Gibson's counter-attacking innings included four fours and a six, with 19 runs coming from the final over, ensuring England maintained momentum after Sciver-Brunt was dismissed with seven balls remaining.
Gibson also took two wickets as England rotated their bowlers, resting seamer Lauren Bell and giving more overs to Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Issy Wong, and Lauren Filer. Reserve wicketkeeper Capsey replaced Jones behind the stumps.
England Take Momentum Into World Cup Opener
Following their defeat by favourites Australia, which served as a wake-up call regarding the quality of opposition expected in the tournament, England responded with a strong all-round performance until Ghosh's late surge.
Collectively, England will be relieved by Sciver-Brunt's innings, which appears to complete the final piece of Edwards' plans.
Importantly, despite a rain delay that resulted in a slower outfield requiring Sciver-Brunt to push hard between the wickets for quick singles and twos, she appeared untroubled by her calf injury and completed the innings without issue.
There remains some concern about Wyatt-Hodge's form, with a highest score of 29 in four innings. However, the recent performances of Jones, Capsey, Knight, Gibson, and now Sciver-Brunt mean most batters enter Friday's match with confidence.
Aside from a dropped catch by Wong, England outperformed their opponents in the field, highlighted by teenager Corteen-Coleman's stunning catch at square leg to dismiss opener Smriti Mandhana.
The 18-year-old also claimed the wickets of captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Radha Yadav, finishing with impressive figures of 2-22, strengthening her case for selection. Fellow spinners Smith and Charlie Dean took 3-42 and 2-16 respectively.
