England Women's cricket team has been jolted by a massive injury scare as their captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of the third T20I against India Women. The third T20I of the ongoing five-match series between India womenand England Women is slated to take place on July 4 at the Kennington Oval in London.
Nat Sciver Brunt out of IND W vs ENG W 3rd T20I
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), on July 3 announced that skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt has sustained a left groin injury. This injury will prevent her from participating in the third T20I against India. Further scans will be conducted to determine the extent of the injury and whether she will be available for the remaining matches of the series.
In Sciver-Brunt's absence, Tammy Beaumont has been appointed as the captain for the match against India. Additionally, Hampshire batter Maia Bouchier has been included in the squad as cover for the injured captain.
"Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will miss the third Vitality IT20 against India Women at the Kia Oval with a left groin injury. Results of the scan will determine whether Sciver-Brunt is required to miss any more games in the series, with the fourth Vitality IT20 due to take place on Wednesday 9 July at Emirates Old Trafford. Tammy Beaumont will captain the side in her absence, with Hampshire batter Maia Bouchier called up to the squad for the Kia Oval as cover," ECB said in an official statement.
Currently, Smriti Mandhana-led Team India is leading the ongoing T20I series against England 2-0. India secured a dominant victory in the first match at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham, winning the match by 97 runs. This victory marked England's heaviest defeat in the history of T20I cricket.
Stand-in captain Mandhana played a pivotal role in India's resounding win in the first match. She scored an impressive 112 runs off just 62 balls, including 15 boundaries and 3 sixes. Her brilliant innings helped India reach a formidable total of 210 for 5. Subsequently, the Indian bowlers put up a strong performance, dismissing the England Women's team for a mere 113 runs within 14.5 overs.
Continuing their winning streak, India also won the second T20I by 24 runs at the County Ground in Bristol. After electing to bat first, the Indian team posted a total of 181 for 4, with significant contributions from Amanjot Kaur, who scored 63 runs, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who also scored 63 runs. When England came to bat, the Indian bowlers displayed excellent control, restricting them to 157 for 7 and securing another victory for their team.