England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is not expected to bowl during the ongoing summer season, according to head coach Charlotte Edwards.
The 32-year-old all-rounder has been recovering from an Achilles injury that worsened during England’s disappointing loss to Australia in the Women’s Ashes earlier this year. Her recovery period extended throughout her maternity leave, following a pivotal role in the Mumbai Indians’ triumph in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025.
England began their reign under Edwards and Sciver-Brunt with a comprehensive T20I series clean sweep against the West Indies, Edwards emphasized the importance of these matches. “I feel these games are really big for us. A lot of this is about us finding the ideal team balance because we have nine games left before the World Cup begins,” she told Sky Sports.
During the same interaction, Edwards confirmed that Sciver-Brunt will not be bowling in this series and is unlikely to bowl for most of the summer. The priority is ensuring she is fully fit and ready for the World Cup.
“Nat’s not bowling this series and she’s probably not going to bowl most of the summer. We want to make sure she’s fit and firing for the World Cup. Her workloads will start in a few weeks. It gives her an opportunity to look at other options, so we know we’ve got that balance if and when Nat comes back.”
England will face the West Indies in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) starting at Derby on Friday, followed by T20I and ODI series against India throughout June and July. The team’s first major challenge under Edwards and Sciver-Brunt’s leadership will be the 50-over World Cup, hosted by India later this year.
The current English squad features promising new and returning players such as Issy Wong, Emily Arlott, and Linsey Smith, who have all impressed since returning to the team. Their performances have boosted England’s bowling attack, providing reassurance even if Sciver-Brunt does not bowl.
Emily Arlott has made a strong impact in domestic cricket and the early international games, adding valuable depth to the squad. Linsey Smith, on the other hand, is a proven performer who has seized her opportunities with determination.
Edwards also highlighted how important Lauren Bell is to England’s pace attack and how intense the competition for places has become. The return of Mahika Gaur and Kate Cross for the ODIs will further enhance the pace battery, presenting a welcome selection dilemma for Edwards as she chooses her best XI.
(Quotes sourced from Sky Sports)
