Nat Sciver-Brunt says she “literally threw everything” at being able to make her comeback for England’s Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa on Thursday.
A minor tear to her left calf on April 29 sidelined Sciver-Brunt for the early part of the summer and a recurrence of the injury a fortnight ago led to her missing England’s last three group-stage matches.
While England topped their group with five wins out of five, Sciver-Brunt has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure she would be back in the XI for the sharp end of the tournament.
As well as the usual tricks to speed up recovery such as eating right, taking supplements, wearing compression socks and undergoing physiotherapy, she has undergone magnetic resonance therapy, placing her left leg in a portable MRI-like machine which uses electromagnetic energy to alter cell behaviour.
The 33-year-old batted for half an hour in the nets on Wednesday morning but did not take part in any fielding drills, leaving question marks over whether she is ready to lead England at the Oval.
But Sciver-Brunt said: “I’ve been put through my recovery paces and worked really hard to get myself to this position. Everything has gone to plan as well as it could do.
“We used various different methods to get the recovery right. Even things that have a small chance of working. We literally threw everything at it.
“We tested it enough to be comfortable. What will happen out on the pitch will happen. I’m really happy with where I am at, physically. We’re confident that I’m fully fit.”
Charlie Dean has led England to three successive wins but will now return to the rank and file, with Sophia Dunkley, who benefited from Sciver-Brunt’s injury to come into the side, likely to drop back out.
It would be harsh on Dunkley, who top-scored with 57 against Scotland and put on an unbroken 128 with Danni Wyatt-Hodge as England laid down a marker ahead of the knockouts by thrashing New Zealand on Saturday.
“It just shows what a great position we are in as a side that so many different people have put their hands up but sadly someone has to miss out,” said Sciver-Brunt, who did not reveal England’s team.
England are favourites to advance and set up a Sunday showdown at Lord’s against old rivals Australia although South Africa have form for upsetting the odds, beating Sciver-Brunt’s side in the semi-finals of the 2023 edition and last year’s 50-over World Cup.
“I suppose timing is everything,” added Sciver-Brunt. “It feels now that everyone is settled into the way we’re doing things and have really grown in confidence in their abilities.
“I think that has been shown on the pitch with different people choosing their moment to shine and show people what they can do.
“It’s a different time to how we felt in the previous World Cup or since the last two years. As a team you go through different ups and downs as you go through tournaments. The vibes are high.”
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