Nat Sciver-Brunt has urged her squad to draw inspiration from the chance to inspire the next generation of England cricketers at this summer’s World Cup.
England begin their home T20 World Cup campaign next Friday against Sri Lanka and will aim to follow in the footsteps of the Lionesses and Red Roses of capturing the imagination of the public during triumphant tournaments in this country.
Sciver-Brunt and England team-mates Sophia Dunkley and Lauren Bell were beamed onto the Piccadilly Lights on Wednesday as part of Metro Bank’s ‘This Feels Different’ campaign to increase visibility of the women’s game and inspire young girls to pick up a cricket bat for the first time.
After a month out with a calf issue, captain Sciver-Brunt told the Press Association: “What an opportunity we have to inspire so many people.
“We have a chance to create a new team for 20 years’ time and inspire that spark in someone to play the game or just join a club. Holding onto that at a time when we need to perform at the highest level and the pressure is on, we can take something from that.”
On being on the Piccadilly Lights, Sciver-Brunt said: “It’s really special.
“I guess knowing how cool and special it is that we’re the representative for the team and representing everything we’re trying to do this summer.
“It was really amazing to see ourselves up there and I don’t usually like looking at myself on campaigns or billboards, so I won’t get used to that, but it was really nice.”
A calf problem at the end of April for Sciver-Brunt sent alarm bells ringing in the World Cup plans for head coach Charlotte Edwards, but England under vice-captain Charlie Dean responded with T20 series wins over New Zealand and India.
And Sciver-Brunt expects to feature in Monday’s warm-up fixture with Australia or in another warm-up clash against India on Wednesday, saying: “Yeah, everything is tracking in the right way at the moment and I’ve been able to do everything that I need to so far.
“We have a week and that is quite a long time in rehab, but it is all going to plan at the moment and being a part of the World Cup warm-up games as a starter is the plan.”
A fit and firing Sciver-Brunt will boost England’s hopes of a first T20 World Cup triumph since 2009.
Sciver-Brunt said: “That is the goal, to be lifting the trophy and be there at Lord’s on the fifth (of July).
“Once we click into tournament mode and get into our bubble, we’ll concentrate on what we’re trying to do and try not to let the outside noise get in.
“You need to take it one ball at a time, one over at a time and one match at a time, so we’ll be into that mode (soon), but for now I will imagine lifting the trophy.”
