England hopeful as Sciver-Brunt hurts troublesome calf again
England are hopeful skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt has escaped injury after she was forced to retire during her innings against Ireland at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Tuesday.
Sciver-Brunt 'retired out' on 48* with the victory target in sight against Ireland in Southampton, with the side remaining unbeaten at the T20 World Cup with a four-wicket triumph over their European rival.
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But it was the circumstances that saw Sciver-Brunt leave the field with just nine runs required that stole the headlines and the England skipper clarified the move post-match.
"It was just precautionary," Sciver-Brunt said.
"I felt a bit of tightness in my calf so I thought id better not push it."
Nat Sciver-Brunt leaves the field | Women's T20WC 2026
A setback for England as skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt is forced to retire out with the hosts closing in on the chase against Ireland at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Sciver-Brunt will now undergo a scan on her calf on Wednesday to determine the extent of the injury, with the side hoping she will be fit for England's next encounter at the T20 World Cup against Scotland in Leeds on Saturday.
Former England skipper Heather Knight fronted the post-match media conference after the victory over Ireland and the veteran indicated more will be known after scans on Wednesday.
"I think it just happened in the moment, felt a bit of tightness in the same calf as before, but that's all we know," Knight said.
"Just a bit of caution from her to get herself off the field and it'll get assessed, I'm sure, over the next few days and fingers crossed she'll be OK."
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Sciver-Brunt hurt her calf in April and sat out the recent T20I series against New Zealand and India due to the injury as fellow all-rounder Charlie Dean stepped up and performed the role as captain with aplomb.
Dean could once again take the captaincy reins if Sciver-Brunt does miss any action throughout the tournament, with Knight hopeful that her current skipper is back to take on Scotland on Saturday.
"We're really hopeful that she'll be fine, but I think one thing we have shown over the last couple of series, we've been able to do things really well without Nat," Knight noted.
"I think Deano (Dean) did a brilliant job stepping into Nat's shoes. Fingers crossed she's all fine, but we'll obviously cross that bridge and hope, if we have to."
"Completely depends on nature of her injury. Obviously, if she's fit and fine, she'll be desperate to play, and I think it's important to keep building as a side. And yeah, if she's fit, she'll play. If she's not fit, I guess she won't."