Credit: ECB
Nat Sciver-Brunt was the key batter for England women's cricket team in the first T20I against India, when the batters could not handle the bowling prowess of India after a scintillating hundred by her counterpart Smriti Mandhana. She was the sole batter who was keeping the run chase going for the hosts with her 66 run-knock until she fell from a length ball by Shree Charani. It was after her wicket that India wrapped up England's innings for 113 and won the game by 97 runs. The hosts could not defeat India in the second T20I as well, finding themselves 2-0 down in the five-match series.
Now in what appears to be a big blow to the England, Nat Sciver-Brunt will miss the third WT20I against India at the Oval in London. According to the reports, she could miss the remainder of the five-match series after suffering a groin strain during her side’s 24-run defeat in Bristol on Tuesday in the second game. Sciver-Brunt was forced to leave the field for large parts of the contest with Sophia Dunkley, her official vice-captain taking the reins in her absence. The England Cricket board confirmed Nat’s absence from the third match, with Tammy Beaumont set to captain them in her absence.
Tammy Beaumont will captain England for the first time in WT20Is
With a deficit of 2-0 and three matched remaining, Beaumont’s greater experience is called upon as she will be leading for the first time in her 247-match international career. As a cover for Sciver-Brunt’s absence, top-order batter Maia Bouchier has been added to the squad for the third T20I. Known for her aggressive strokeplay, Bouchier might prove to be a reliable replacement option, as the setback for Sciver-Brunt’s absence will dent England’s hopes for bouncing back in a series in which they are completely outplayed by their Indian opponents.
According to the statement of ECB, Nat Sciver-Brunt will undergo further scans to assess the severity of her injury. The statement said, "Results of the scan will determine whether Sciver-Brunt is required to miss any more games in the series, with the fourth Vitality T20I due to take place on Wednesday July, 9 at the Emirates Old Trafford." In the second T20I, India notched up a 24-run win as the 50+ knocks of Amanjot Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues led to a good total of 181/4, in the chase Tammy Beaumont played a commendable knock of 54 runs.
