Nat Sciver-Brunt denied England have a mental block when they face Australia despite another defeat to their bitter rivals in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Australia made it 7-0 in all World Cup final showdowns between the teams to seal a record-extending seventh T20 crown in 10 editions following a seven-wicket win at a sold-out Lord’s on Sunday.
England were also whitewashed 16-0 in the last Ashes Down Under but captain Sciver-Brunt insisted the one-sided nature of the rivalry had no bearing on what unfolded at the home of cricket.
“It’s a World Cup final,” Sciver-Brunt said. “A World Cup that has meant so much to us, so I think the over-riding feeling is that we’ve lost a World Cup final, not ‘oh no, it’s Australia again’.
“Yes, it’s Australia, but to me they’re quite a different side to the one we played in the Ashes.
“I know everyone in our team are hugely disappointed in that but not thinking too much on the opposition. They were extremely clinical and very impressive and sometimes you don’t deserve to win.”
Sciver-Brunt was emotional when reflecting on being accompanied by son Theo, with whom she parents alongside wife and former England team-mate Katherine, for the national anthems.
“I probably won’t play a home World Cup again so having the opportunity to bring Theo out was really special,” she added. “I’m going to cry, so I can’t really tell you how special.”
Sciver-Brunt, fresh from her match-winning semi-final heroics against South Africa, made a stodgy 53-ball 58 not out, with Freya Kemp upping England to 150 for four with an unbeaten 44 off 28 deliveries.
Their efforts were put in the shade as Australia recovered from the early loss of Georgia Voll, with Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield putting on exactly 100 in 67 deliveries to break the back of the chase.
Mooney’s 64 was her fourth successive fifty-plus score in a World Cup final and Australia cruised to victory with 17 balls to spare to regain the crown they surrendered to New Zealand in 2024.
“I would have liked to have had a lot higher strike-rate after hitting my first ball for four,” Sciver-Brunt said.
“It wasn’t my intention. I wanted to play through the innings but be a little freer in trying to find the boundary. I’m obviously sitting here feeling like I could have done a lot better than that.
“The tournament has to end with someone losing so I don’t want our girls to forget how proud we can be about everything we’ve done throughout this tournament but we were outplayed today.”
Head coach Charlotte Edwards believes England have “won back the fans” by reaching the final.
Uncomfortable questions about England’s fitness, fielding and attitude were raised following their last Ashes loss, which followed hot on the heels of a group stage exit in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Edwards has been open about wanting to improve their professionalism when she took up her role last year and she feels how they have performed in recent weeks has got supporters back onside.
“They’ve won back the fans, which is outstanding, and I can’t thank the supporters enough,” Edwards told the BBC’s Test Match Special.
“We’re not talking about fitness or fielding, I wanted us to talk about the cricket. So although we’ve missed out today, I don’t think we should be disheartened.
“This is a very, very good Australian team who have dominated women’s cricket for years and we’re not too far away.”
Read MoreCharlotte Edwards feels England ‘won back the fans’ despite World Cup final loss
England fall short as Australia win Women’s T20 World Cup for seventh time
Jacob Bethell ready to shoulder opening burden in England ODI team
World Cup 2026 TV schedule: How to watch every knockout game live in the UK
England retain promise but suffer World Cup reality check vs Australia
Jacob Bethell ‘all smiles’ after helping England to win over India
