Nat Sciver-Brunt played down her injury scare after helping England beat Ireland by four wickets to make it two wins from two matches at the Women’s T20 World Cup.
The England captain led the recovery after her side slipped from 27 without loss to 35 for three within 10 balls, amassing 48 to lead the tournament hosts to within nine runs of their pursuit of 119.
But she caused widespread bemusement when she trudged off the field, retiring out and leading to fears of a recurrence of a torn left calf, having only made her return from the injury last week.
Sciver-Brunt admitted she felt a twinge after hitting her fourth four and immediately decided to leave the field at Southampton, but she faces a scan to determine the severity of the problem.
“Just precautionary,” Sciver-Brunt said on Sky Sports after England got home with 15 balls to spare. “Felt a bit of tightness in my calf and didn’t want to push it.”
England are back in action on Saturday at Headingley, taking on Scotland, before finishing the Group B campaign with tougher tests against the West Indies next Wednesday and New Zealand on June 27.
Sciver-Brunt’s wife Katherine, a former England fast bowler, echoed her spouse and ex-team-mate’s assertion that the injury is not serious and that she could miss the Scotland game as a precaution.
Speaking in her role as a pundit for the BBC’s Test Match Special, Katherine said: “Obviously, there are a few concerns for England. But Nat hasn’t been crying and that’s a good sign.
“She’s not that easy to read, but from what I’m seeing, it’s not that bad. It could be a one-match situation.”
Heather Knight contributed 26 to a 64-run partnership off 49 balls with Sciver-Brunt that ultimately saw England follow up Friday’s record-breaking win over Sri Lanka with victory on the south coast.
Knight is keeping her fingers crossed her successor as England captain gets the all-clear but argued the team showed their worth without Sciver-Brunt in series wins over New Zealand and India recently.
Knight said: “She’s huge in our side. The situation tonight, having her calmness, composure and experience to go and play like she did… she’s hitting them really nicely.
“We’re really hopeful she’ll be fine but one thing we have shown over the last couple of series is we’ve been able to do things really well without Nat.”
After the start of play was put an hour due to rain, Ireland were restricted to 118 for nine following a collective disciplined bowling display from England, with Sophie Ecclestone taking three for 22.
Orla Prendergast justified her billing as Ireland’s premier star, following up a cameo 26 with the bat by dismissing Alice Capsey with a superb slower-ball yorker before trapping Knight lbw on review.
Ireland captain Gaby Lewis said of Prendergast: “Words cant described what she means to this team and the performances she has put in. She is irreplaceable and would fit into any international team.
“She is a real all-round cricketer and we are very lucky to have her in our team.”
Read MoreNat Sciver-Brunt retires hurt to put damper on England’s T20 victory over Ireland
