Proud to take on the role – Nat Sciver-Brunt named England captain
Sciver-Brunt was the instant favourite to pick up the baton from long-serving skipper Heather Knight, having served as the latter's vice-captain, and her appointment marks the first major decision of Edwards' reign.
The all-rounder was the heartbeat of the team throughout Knight's nine-year stint at the helm but must now find a way to lift the side after a difficult period that included a poor showing at last year's T20 World Cup and Ashes humiliation in Australia.
Sciver-Brunt has led the side on several previous occasions, but was in the role for a disappointing exit in the bronze-medal match at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and later took a mental-health break from the game.
Although not widely considered a natural on-field leader, she has the experience, know-how and international pedigree to make her Edwards' first choice.
The 32-year-old has been an integral part of England's set-up since making her debut in 2013 and is regarded as one of the world's most gifted cricketers.
Sciver-Brunt has a notable collection of awards, including winning the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year for 2022 and 2023. She was also named PCA Women's Player of the Year in 2017 and 2022 and been a part of the ICC Women's ODI and T20 Teams of the Year in 2023.
Currently ranked number three in the ICC world batting rankings in ODI cricket, Sciver-Brunt has spent the previous three years as vice-captain.
In 2021, Sciver-Brunt captained her country for the first time in international cricket for the third IT20 match against New Zealand, and also took charge for the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
Sciver-Brunt was part of the team that won the 2017 World Cup and has played 259 times for England across formats to date.
She averages 46.47 in Tests, 45.91 in ODIs and 28.45 in IT20s, whilst also taking 181 international wickets.
Most recently, Sciver-Brunt ended the 2025 Women's Premier League in India with 523 runs, becoming the first player to accumulate more than 500 runs in a single season. She also became the first to score 1,000 runs in the WPL.
Sciver-Brunt, who is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her first child with former England team-mate Katherine, said: 'I'm really proud to take on the role of captain of the England Women's team and it's an honour to have been asked by Charlotte, someone I've always looked up to.
'Ever since I made my England debut back in 2013, all I have wanted to do is help the team in every way that I can. I will try my best to lead this team to success, whilst empowering them to be the best version of themselves.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
India defeats were not 'reality check'
England's T20 and one-day international series defeats by India were not a "reality check" before next month's 50-over World Cup, says head coach Charlotte thrashing a depleted West Indies at the beginning of the summer in her first series in charge, England lost the T20s 3-2 and the ODIs 2-1 to India - who are hosting the World Cup alongside Sri were without experienced batter Heather Knight, while captain Nat Sciver-Brunt missed the last two T20s with injury, but there was again scrutiny over the team's fielding and ability to perform under pressure."We were massively challenged and that's how we want women's cricket to be," Edwards told the BBC Stumped podcast. "It wasn't a reality check. We know we can beat India."We are going into a World Cup where we know if we play our best, we can beat any team."In the eight-team tournament, which runs from 30 September to 2 November, each side play each other once, with the top four qualifying for the Lanka are hosting matches as part of ongoing arrangements over fixtures involving India and Pakistan, with the International Cricket Council introducing neutral venues to tournaments hosted by either nation. 'Confident' England can be strong fielding side Edwards replaced former coach Jon Lewis in April, who was sacked after England's disastrous 16-0 Ashes sweep at the beginning of the year and the preceding T20 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the group stages by West Indies. Former England captain Edwards vowed to change the team's perception and attitude, with much of the post-Ashes criticism focusing on a sense of complacency, inability to handle scrutiny and a culture of freedom that appeared to let standards slip, particularly in the field and with their fitness."It is something we are working on, we know we have that tag now," she said."Sometimes I get frustrated because we can drop one catch and we are labelled a bad fielding team, even though we have fielded really well otherwise. "I am confident we can get to a place where people are talking really positively about our fielding." Sciver-Brunt & Ecclestone show good progress All-rounder Sciver-Brunt replaced Knight as captain after the Ashes, but has had injury setbacks - an Achilles problem ruled her out of bowling all summer, while she suffered a groin issue in the India says Sciver-Brunt is "on track" to be bowling in time for the World Cup, with England's first game against South Africa on 3 October, which will help balance the side - they often seemed a batter light during the summer. "Nat is crucial but we are not putting pressure on her," added Edwards."We have got to get her right as a batter and a captain. She has had a lot thrown at her this summer and she has dealt with that so calmly."Another player who will be key to England's World Cup campaign is left-arm spinner and world number one bowler Sophie Ecclestone, who was in the spotlight during the refused a television interview with pundit and former team-mate Alex Hartley, which managing director of England women's cricket Clare Connor described as "an unfortunate incident".She was left out of Edwards' squad for the West Indies series, which England said was to manage an injury, and during the ODIs against India, Ecclestone admitted she had considered stepping away from the Edwards said the 26-year-old was now in "a really good place"."We have Soph back smiling and enjoying cricket, she is going really well and performing well in The Hundred," she added.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Marc Guehi gets Liverpool transfer warning with £35m move causing divide
Liverpool have attempted to sign Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi this summer, but former Arsenal forward Ian Wright feels it wouldn't be the right time to move to Anfield for the England ace Ian Wright has urged Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi to snub any further advances from Liverpool this summer to protect his chances of representing England in the 2026 World Cup. Despite having held discussions with the current Premier League champions, it's understood that there's a gap in valuations between the two clubs. Football can be unpredictable and a move is still possible this month. But Palace manager Oliver Glasner is reluctant to let his Community Shield-winning captain depart as the new season begins this weekend. The 25-year-old looks more likely to now leave on a free transfer next summer – should he not renew his contract – giving Liverpool the opportunity to wait and sign him without having to pay a fee. Liverpool currently have a few options at centre-back, including Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate. However, with Jarell Quansah now at Bayer Leverkusen, Arne Slot is looking for another addition to the defence. Fortunately for the Reds, they have just finalised a £26million deal with Italian side Parma for 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni. A medical has been scheduled, potentially putting an end to any late summer move for Guehi – much to Wright's apparent satisfaction. Guehi remains on their radar, though, and could potentially be secured on a reduced fee before the transfer window closes or as a free agent next summer. Yet Premier League icon Wright believes a move this summer would be detrimental to Guehi, considering the upcoming international preparations for next year's World Cup. Speaking on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast, the former Arsenal striker insists the 25-year-old should remain in south London for another campaign. Wright said: "If you look at someone like Guehi right, why would you leave now? It's a World Cup year, you don't want to go somewhere you might not play because Konate's still there isn't he?" Fellow pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane suggested that Guehi's mentality would likely focus on securing a starting position with the Reds, but Wright countered by adding: "Will he start if Konate is there? Will he start?" Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher offered his perspective, suggesting that Guehi could arrive at Anfield and challenge Konate for the starting spot, given his credentials as an international performer and Palace success story. The ex-Reds defender said: "I think the fact that he [Konate] is injury prone and the fact he hasn't signed as well. The longer he doesn't sign, I think the more the manager will say, 'If you're not committed, you're not playing.' "Because before, Liverpool had them two centre-backs and the lad behind him was Quansah who's left, that wasn't competition, that was just an understudy. He's [Guehi] an England international. This is like, 'I'm going for your place, Im fighting with you for the position', and the longer he doesn't sign." Regarding their pursuit of Guehi, Liverpool launched the opening bid with an offer reaching £35m – £30m upfront plus £5m in performance-related bonuses. Though no deal appears likely with the difference in valuations, and Guehi is willing to honour his current contract this season at Selhurst Park. For Leoni, meanwhile, he is set to immediately join the first team, with a loan move being dismissed. Leoni will join Liverpool's other major summer acquisitions, including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike as they prepare for the new season. Speaking to the media on Thursday, boss Slot remained tight-lipped regarding his views on Guehi, deflecting enquiries towards Palace rather than the centre-back's potential new destination. Addressing both Leoni and Guehi, he said: "The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn't signed for us yet. The moment when he signs for us, I can go into more detail. "And the other one (Guehi) is of course the answer you always get from me. No, (I cannot go into more detail) because he is not our player and unfortunately he was the captain of the team where we lost against last Sunday. "No, if you want to have any talks about him, you should go to Palace, to (Oliver) Glasner and ask him his opinion about him." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Wales Online
All Blacks players lift car in Argentina after it gets stuck on parking block
All Blacks players lift car in Argentina after it gets stuck on parking block The All Blacks displayed their strength in an unconventional way prior to their opening round clash against Argentina. This is the moment the New Zealand players lifted the car. (Image: ScrumRugby) Three All Blacks players lifted a car over a parking block in Argentina to get the vehicle on its way. The New Zealand squad are currently in Buenes Aires ahead of their opening Rugby Championship encounter against Los Pumas this weekend and came across the stricken driver as they walked through the streets. However, it wasn't the big, burly forwards that lifted the car, it was creative backs Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett and Beauden Barrett who did the honours. The vehicle was stuck on top of a chunky parking block and wouldn't have been able to move without the help of the rugby stars. The intervention was a hit with fans on social media, with one saying: 'These lads grew up on the farm, light work for the boys." It's the first time that players have been called on to shift a vehicle. During the 2023 World Cup in France, members of the squad needed to move a Land Rover that blocked the team bus. Utility back Jordie has just come back from playing for Leinster in the United Rugby Championship, and will be playing his first game of Test rugby since his stint in the northern hemisphere. Check out the clip below. Article continues below Content cannot be displayed without consent McKenzie and the Barrett brothers are all likely to start in the first match of the upcoming tournament. Following the pandemic, New Zealand had won The Rugby Championship every year until South Africa reclaimed the title last summer. The last time Rassie Erasmus' side had won the competition was six years ago, the same year they won the World Cup. Having beaten New Zealand in last year's Test in Wellington, Scott Robertson's side are wary of the challenge presented by Los Pumas. All Blacks star Will Jordan spoke about the significance of passion ahead of their clash. "We built some good combinations [against France]," explained Jordan. "The whole squad got to go, so everyone's ready to play if needed. On attack, we built some good flow. "We expect a lot of passion from Argentina. They'll come hard at our breakdown. "Over the last few years, they've challenged us, particularly in the first game. We've lost a couple of those, so the first 20 minutes can be important. "Matching their energy and passion in the first 20 minutes playing at home [is a challenge]. They're going to be up for it, so it is important we come out firing. "The challenge for us is to be able to start with the right intensity that allows us to play and be able to use the ball when moving around the park. Article continues below "I like having the ball in my hands so I try and get involved and have an influence where I can, and sometimes it ends up in my hands."
