Sciver-Brunt: ‘Pressure is a privilege’ for England’s World Cup homecoming
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England Ready for World Cup Homecoming
Nat Sciver-Brunt says England are ready to throw themselves into the pressurised environment of a home World Cup when they open the tournament against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday night.
Sciver-Brunt, the England captain, has pulled up well after making a half-century in Wednesday’s warm-up victory over India, only her second match since the 50-over World Cup semi-final last October. And, looking ahead to Friday, she says she’s as ready as she’ll ever be, as England seek to emulate the efforts of their football and rugby counterparts in recent global tournaments.
Pressure and Privilege
Sri Lanka Captain Chamari Athapaththu
Even Chamari Athapaththu – the Sri Lanka captain playing her 10th T20 World Cup and returning to England where she played her first in 2009 – could feel the heat on the home side.
England’s Team Selection
Sciver-Brunt was playing her cards close when asked about England’s XI, given that a pair of T20I series against New Zealand and India in the lead-up to the tournament has given head coach Charlotte Edwards “good headaches”. Sophia Dunkley didn’t bat in either of the warm-up games, against Australia and India, with Amy Jones opening instead alongside Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Left-Arm Spinners
England did show their hand when announcing their squad for this home T20 World Cup, with the inclusion three of left-arm spinners in Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and uncapped 18-year-old Tilly Corteen-Coleman. Talk about going all-in.
Conclusion
For all their shuffling of the deck through the summer so far, it all comes down to this for England. The way the cards fall in the first game could very well set the tone for their tournament.
