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Nat Sciver-Brunt named England Women’s captain and vows to empower team

Nat Sciver-Brunt has said she will empower her players to be the “best version of themselves” after being appointed as the new captain of the England women’s team.

As first reported by the Guardian last week, the 32-year-old all-rounder has stepped up to fill the vacancy left by Heather Knight’s departure in March – the first appointment by the new England women’s head coach, Charlotte Edwards.

Sciver-Brunt, who is currently on parental leave, said: “I’m really proud to take on the role and it’s an honour to have been asked by Charlotte, someone I’ve always looked up to. I have wanted to do is help the team in every way that I can.

“I will try my best to lead this team to success, whilst empowering them to be the best version of themselves. We have a really talented group, and we have a group that’s united. It’s a team I believe in and a team that can have a lot of success together.”

A mainstay of the side since her debut 2013, Sciver-Brunt was always the leading candidate to step up the wake of England’s disastrous Ashes tour last year, both as vice-captain to Knight for the past three years and arguably one of the few England players who would make a world XI at present.

Currently third in the ODI batting rankings, the right-hander has also forged a strong bond with Edwards over the past three as part of the Mumbai Indians side that has won two of three the Women’s Premier Leagues to date. The pair were previously team-mates at the back end of Edwards’ decorated England career.

Clare Connor, managing director of England women, added: “We are delighted to have appointed Nat and I know she’s excited about the honour of leading the team during an unprecedented chapter in international women’s cricket.

“Everyone knows what a fantastic cricketer Nat is, but her qualities extend far beyond her skills on the pitch. She’s thoughtful, resilient and driven by getting the best out of herself and everyone around her. Nat is immensely well-respected in the group and I know she will form an exciting and fruitful partnership with Charlotte.”

Having deputised for Knight on 12 previous occasions, Sciver-Brunt’s first series as permanent captain is the visit of West Indies for three Twenty20 internationals and three ODIs, the first of which takes place in Canterbury on 21 May.

India are the second tourists this summer – five T20is and three ODIs in June and July – before thoughts turn to the women’s World Cup that starts in late September.

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