Nat Sciver-Brunt refutes wife Katherine’s allegations about England side not caring about their defeats off late.
Nat Sciver-Brunt defends England after wife Katherine questions attitude.
as losing to India 2-1 in the ODI series, England Women had to defend their mindset as former fast bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt questioned their drive and self-control.
India amassed 318 for 5 on the strength of captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s century, and England lost the third and final ODI by 13 runs at Chester-le-street on Tuesday. The hosts were bowled out for 305 with one ball remaining after lurching to 8 for 2 thanks to Kranti Goud’s six-wicket haul.
Nat Sciver-Brunt’s wife, Sciver-Brunt, urged the home team to put up more of a fight.
“It’s hard for me to understand some people sometimes, and their attitudes, because to me it looks lazy and like they don’t care,” Katherine told BBC Test Match Special. “Are they actually feeling like that? Or do you actually care a lot and that is your way of showing it? I struggled a lot with that.
“It came across to me as bad attitude and no discipline. That is definitely not what I’m seeing from everyone but at times there are examples.”
“When the pressure gets to them they go external and what comes out is not good cricket,” Katherine continued. “They are being crippled inside and suddenly they are not switched on or they suddenly don’t want the ball because they are scared to fail.
“A lot of versions like me have left the team, and a lot of different versions have come into the team. Nat is captain now and she’s the polar opposite to me, she’s very quiet, inside and patient. She is everything I am not. You know how I feel but you wouldn’t know how Nat is feeling.
“I wouldn’t say that nobody in this team wants it, they all want it and to do their best. There is a lot of timid people and not many front-footed people who are willing to do anything.
“I don’t think everyone is doing everything they possibly can. And the key to that question is why? I don’t think there is anything malicious in that, it is a mental thing. We just need to be stronger internally and be more outwards with our fight.”
Nat, who gave England a fighting chance in the match with a score of 98 off 105 balls, was asked about the remarks at her post-match news conference. She responded that her squad was doing their best.
“I’ve actually been put in that situation before when I was a lot younger – ‘she’s so relaxed, she doesn’t look like she’s that interested’ – but on the inside that’s not what’s true,” she said.
“I guess from the outside people might look in certain ways, but you never know what’s going on inside. I know everyone on that pitch is committed to doing the best they can for England.”