Nat Sciver-Brunt, the newly appointed captain of the England women’s cricket team, is in for a thrilling ride. Her myriad of experiences have made her who she is today, both on and off the pitch. From her early years influenced by her mother’s diplomatic career to her innovative play style, Sciver-Brunt’s story is one of resilience and determination.
Sciver-Brunt’s ascent to captaincy comes at a time when she and several teammates returned from the Women’s Big Bash League less than fit for international competition. Robinson, the England’s coach, raised another issue. He added, “She was one of six players who came back in no shape from the Women’s Big Bash. This remark highlights the difficulty of the adjustment all players make after a grueling league season.
Born to Julia, the UK’s ambassador to Japan, Sciver-Brunt’s upbringing was a special one. Hailing from Philadelphia, she spent her early life traveling the world as an army brat. She went to schools in Poland and the Netherlands before completing her schooling at Epsom College, Surrey. Her unique upbringing around the world gave her the foundation to be adaptable and resilient. Those characteristics would come to serve her well in her subsequent cricket career.
It’s funny, because Sciver-Brunt’s first love was actually football—soccer—where she grew up worshiping the one and only David Beckham. She even got trials with Chelsea before turning her attention to cricket. She made the move into county cricket at the young age of 17 years old! Three years later she made her debut for the England team, starting what looked to be a truly talented career.
Before Robinson became head coach, Sciver-Brunt had precious few chances to bat in England’s top order. She had batted in the top five during a one-day international just once before his arrival. Robinson finally figured out a technical issue with her batting stance. In doing so, she was inspired to create a new kind of shot that she went on to call “the Natmeg.” This creative method of shot making includes a tennis smash type jamming down on a full-length delivery to strike the ball through her legs.
In the same month, Sciver-Brunt shared news that her son, Theo, was born, with her partner Katherine giving birth to him. The couple had gone through egg-freezing treatment together, a testament to their dedication to prioritizing personal lives and careers. Katherine shone a light on their shared struggle in facing public scrutiny. She said, “We tick so many challenging boxes in the public realm, of playing international sport, being gay and women.”
Sciver-Brunt’s leadership story started when Heather Knight was dismissed from her role as captain. With this appointment, she cemented her position as the fourth permanent skipper for England women’s cricket this century. Katherine remarked on Sciver-Brunt’s potential as a leader: “Watching the WPL and how she dealt with what we were going through showed me she will be fine as England captain.”
Sciver-Brunt’s off-field bond with Katherine has provided an anchor to her tumultuous life. The two were introduced at Loughborough University, where Katherine first saw in Sciver-Brunt the ability she was initially too skeptical to believe. “I was like ‘she’s not everything,’ ” Katherine remembered, looking back on their first meetings. Their relationship grew more intimate as they endured setbacks side by side, both at home and in the field.
Sciver-Brunt and Katherine both shine at their own careers. They made personal investments in real estate, leasing it back to their USWNT colleagues Amy Jones, Beth Langston and Fran Wilson. The effort is a testament to their entrepreneurial vision and their desire to give back and empower their fellow athletes in the sport.
In short, Sciver-Brunt is set to take England into its next exciting chapter. Her odyssey is a testament to her athletic ability, maturity, determination and fortitude. All of the tests she’s received have probably grown her into a wise, poised and collected competitor able to withstand fire.
Katherine’s confidence in Sciver-Brunt is evident: “We know her for being calm, calculated and being able to pull off her best performances in the worst situations. For that alone, if there is anyone for the job, it is Nat.”
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