Nat Sciver-Brunt has flown home from England Women’s pre-season camp in Pretoria after what the ECB described as “family reasons”. The all-rounder and captain is not expected to re-join the 30-strong squad before they return at the end of March.
“We’ve told Nat to take whatever time she needs,” head coach Jon Lewis said. “Her wellbeing is the priority and she has the full backing of the group.”
England moved the two-week camp from the UAE to South Africa because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Once there, the coaches split the players into two sides – Team Brittin and Team Heyhoe Flint – for five trial T20s designed to shape selection for a hectic home season that finishes with the T20 World Cup in June and July.
Sciver-Brunt made an immediate mark in the first game, thumping 41 from 24 balls as Team Brittin chased 110 with eight overs to spare. Maia Bouchier’s steady 47 off 40 and Issy Wong’s 3 for 18 framed the contest, while Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith chipped in with two wickets each. Sophia Dunkley was run out for 12 by Dani Gibson – fresh from a £190,000 signing by Sunrisers Leeds at last week’s Hundred auction – but the wobble was brief.
Assistant coach Matt Mason felt the match ticked several boxes. “It was sharp, competitive cricket,” he noted. “Exactly what we wanted before the New Zealand and India series.”
The remainder of the tour will go ahead without Sciver-Brunt. In her absence, vice-captain Heather Knight is expected to oversee the running of Team Brittin, although leadership in intra-squads is typically shared.
When the squad returns, England host New Zealand for three ODIs and five T20Is in May, then meet India for a short T20 series that rolls straight into the World Cup. Selection meetings are pencilled in for early April, giving fringe players three more outings in Pretoria to press their cases.
Lewis maintained the door remains open for his captain. “If Nat feels able to re-join us later in the spring, brilliant,” he said. “If not, we’ll plan accordingly. Either way, we’ll give her the space she needs.”
For now, the focus turns back to the centre wickets at the High Performance Centre, where batters will look to cash in and seamers hope the Highveld bounce offers a final nudge to the selectors.
