NSB on juggling injury, captaincy, and motherhood wanting to empower everyone to be the best version of themselves.
NSB, In addition to adjusting to life as a new working mother, she has been undergoing a rigorous rehabilitation program for an Achilles injury, which will limit her playing options when she first takes on the role of England Women’s captain.
All-rounder Sciver-Brunt said she has been dealing with Achilles tendinopathy “on and off for years” in her first public remarks since she was appointed Heather Knight’s replacement two weeks ago and became a mother in March with her wife Katherine. She was able to have painful shockwave therapy and other treatment for the injury during her maternity leave, which put her in position to bat during her first assignment as captain, when England hosts the West Indies in two white-ball series beginning on May 21.
“For now I haven’t been bowling,” Sciver-Brunt said. “Just from an Achilles perspective to build up my workload through playing, batting is important in terms of the next step up. So certainly for the first part of the summer I’ll be playing as a batter.
“My intention is to keep bowling. I mean, bowling 10 overs every 50-over match probably isn’t something that is sustainable for me. But I’d like to have a good role with the ball as well.
“It just came to a head and was very sore during the winter, so I was really glad to have a chance to have a good period of rehab so that I can go through the summer more pain-free, obviously with a big 50-over World Cup after the summer. I’m on track, which I’m really happy about.”
As England attempts to get past their 16-0 Ashes thrashing at the hands of Australia in January, Sciver-Brunt said she was still getting used to “a new normal” following the arrival of her son Theo, who will travel with Nat and Katherine.
“It’s been interesting, obviously doing everything I can to get back into cricket and whilst rehabbing my Achilles was important,” she said. “Doing all of that and then being at home and there for Katherine and Theo has been tricky at times, but looking after a newborn is really rewarding.
“To be asked [to be captain] is a huge privilege and one that I didn’t want to turn down. Obviously that doesn’t come without its challenges in terms of where I’m at in my life and the changes that have happened outside of cricket, to becoming a mum and getting used to all of that, so it will be a new thing to get used to, but hopefully something I can take in my stride.”